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Founded October 24, 2006, at Carmel, IN Vol. XIX, No. 50
Copyright 2023
Current Publishing, LLC
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Opinions
The views of the columnists in Current in Carmel are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of this newspaper.
Project delays, possible tax hikes lead some to question impact of property tax law
By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
Tax hikes, layoffs and delays to major projects are on the table as counties and municipalities across Indiana work through the financial impacts of the state’s new proper ty tax law.
STATE
Senate Enrolled Act 1 is expected to save Hoosiers up to $300 on their 2026 property tax bills and more in the future, but some are wondering if the savings are worth the pending upheaval elsewhere.
Fred Montagna, who has lived in Carmel for 38 years, said he feels the property tax savings are “rather insignificant” compared to the vision for major reform presented by now-Indiana Gov. Mike Braun during his election campaign — especially considering the uncertainty of future new taxes.
“I’m really disappointed,” Montagna said. “The way the governor promised to do major reform ended up being rather a drop in the bucket.”
In Hamilton County, financial constraints tied to SEA1 have led to an indefinite delay in constructing a domestic violence center and are throwing into question plans for a child care facility for children of county employees, according to Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt. The law also could lead to layoffs and impact future road construction projects.
As a result of SEA1, the county is set to receive $6.4 million less than previously projected in 2026, $8.6 million less in 2027 and $11.5 million less in 2028, Heirbrandt said.
He described the impact of SEA1 as a “shell game,” as savings for property owners might be lessened by other new taxes, including a wheel tax state legislators are requiring local governments to implement to receive Community Crossings road improvement matching grants. Other new or increased taxes are under consideration in many Indiana communities.
“So, where are the savings?” Heirbrandt said. “It’s things like that, I sit there and look at it and scratch my head. Is that really worth it?”
In Elkhart County, several county commissioners, councilors and mayors signed a joint statement urging state legislators to “fix” the unintended consequences of SEA1.
“This legislation was meant to create fairness,” the statement reads. “Instead, it
I M PA CT O N HO U S E HO LD S
Homeowners are expected to see lower property tax bills in the coming years, but the savings may be essentially offset by other new taxes. In addition to a 10 percent deduction (up to $300), SEA1 also includes an increase in the supplemental homestead deduction. (Image courtesy of the City of Carmel)
has created uncertainty, shifting burdens in ways that threaten critical services in our communities. Unless corrected, the result will not be lower costs for families, but fewer services, higher fees, and a heavier tax load on individual homeowners and renters.”
The Elkhart County leaders state that SEA1 “does not address the rising burden from increasing assessments,” meaning that even with the new property tax deductions the total due is likely to continue rising for many homeowners.”
State Rep. Danny Lopez, a Republican whose district includes parts of Carmel and Westfield, acknowledged that the new law is requiring local governments to make difficult funding decisions, but he said savings for property owners go beyond a deduction in 2026, saving Hoosiers $1.3 billion over three years.
Beyond that, the law phases out the standard homestead deduction by 2030 but boosts the supplemental homestead deduction to 40 percent in 2026. The supplemental deduction increases each year until it levels out at 66.7 percent by 2030.
“Delaying that (full) implementation gives us a longer timeline to really understand the impacts that this will have at the local level and then be able to adjust where we need to adjust,” Lopez said.
According to data presented by the City of Carmel during a workshop to review the proposed 2026 budget, a family living in a $568,000 home with an annual household
income of $176,000 will see their property tax bills drop by $558 in 2026 and nearly $799 in 2027.
However, in 2028, the $1,444 in property tax savings would be offset by $2,537 in new local income taxes, meaning the family would pay $1,093 more than they would have if SEA1 did not become law. By 2030, the full implementation of the supplemental homestead deduction essentially offsets the new income tax, leading to modest savings for homeowners. But that does not take into account other potential new or increased taxes.
Heirbrandt said he believes the legislature needs to prioritize making adjustments to the law.
“I kept telling several legislators (before the bill became law) that one size doesn’t fit all. It’s going to affect every county, every city, every town completely different,” he said. “I think you are going to see a lot of changes that have to happen down at the statehouse, because there are gaps that were unexpected.”
Lopez said he hasn’t been surprised by the impact of SEA1 so far, other than finding that most Hoosiers don’t understand the full scope of the legislation.
“People see it as $300 or 10 percent annually and say, ‘Well, that’s not a huge number,’ but the truth is that when twothirds of your net assessed value starting in 2031 is deducted on your property tax bill, that’s a significant reform and a significant change for taxpayers,” Lopez said.
15
County
news@youarecurrent.com
Hamilton County schools recently received nearly $1 million for safety upgrades through the state’s Secured School Safety Grant Program supported by area lawmakers. The grants were announced Sept. 23.
EDUCATION
The Secured School Safety Grant Program was established in 2013 to increase the safety of Indiana schools. The SSSG program is a dedicated state fund that provides matching grants to school corporations, accredited non-public schools, charter schools and coalitions of school corporations.
The funding is part of the state legislature’s investment in school safety this year, which totaled $27 million in state matching grants across 494 schools statewide. Lawmakers also advanced legislation to move the Office of School Safety to the Department of Homeland Security, centralizing safety efforts and providing additional support and resources to schools.
Indiana Rep. Danny Lopez (R-Carmel) said funds can be used for safety needs like support for resource officers, equipment and technology, active event warning systems, threat assessments and student-parent support service programs.
“Our goal is to equip our schools with the resources they need to keep students safe,” Lopez said. “This funding helps strengthen safety plans and gives families confidence in their local schools.”
Hamilton County schools and school districts receiving grants include: Hamilton Southeastern Schools, $92,500; Noblesville Schools, $92,500; Options Schools, Inc., $92,500; Sheridan Community Schools, $92,500; Westfield Washington Schools, $92,500; Carmel Clay Schools, $91,566; Hamilton Heights School Corp., $46,250; Midwest Academy, $41,625; Fishers Christian Academy, $32,375; Our Lady of Grace School (Noblesville), $32,375; St. Louis de Montfort Catholic School, $32,375; Saint Maria Goretti School, $28,526; Guerin Catholic High School, $18,652; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School, $15,262; and University High School of Indiana, $15,246.
To learn more about the Secured School Safety Grant Program visit in.gov/schoolsafety.
OCTOBER EVENTS
OKTOBERFEST
October 3; 6 - 10 p.m.
Carmel City Center
Carmel.IN.gov
WORLD AQUATICS
SWIMMING WORLD CUP
October 10 - 12
High School Natatorium
CarmelSwimCity.com
THE ARTS IN AUTUMN
October 11; 1 - 5 p.m.
Midtown Plaza
Carmel.IN.gov
LATE NIGHT ON MAIN
October 11; 6 – 11 p.m.
Carmel Arts & Design District
CarmelPorchFest.org
DIWALI
October 18; 5 - 9 p.m.
Carter Green
Carmel.IN.gov
MOVIES AT MIDTOWN
October 31; 6 p.m.
Midtown Plaza
Carmel.IN.gov
LIVE MUSIC AT FORK + ALE HOUSE
Every Wednesday; 6 - 9 p.m.
Midtown Plaza ForkAleHouses.com/Events
THE CARMEL JAZZ FESTIVAL
City Tour: Featuring Free Play Band
October 9; 6 - 9 p.m. Midtown Plaza CarmelJazzFest.org
CLAY TERRACE EVENTS
October 9; Pour Your Own Epoxy at Upland Brewing
October 11; Lululemon Run (or Walk) and Shop
October 18; 13th Annual Boo 'n Brew Fall Festival
OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS
October 19; Indianapolis Colts Game on Midtown Plaza Screen
October 25; Carmel Education Foundation Ghosts & Goblins Walk/Run at Carmel High School
Indicates Allied Solutions sponsored events
EventsInCarmel.com (317) 571-2400
CCS proposes course additions, deletions for 2026-27
By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com
Recommendations for course additions, deletions and modifications at Carmel High School for the 2026-27 academic year were presented to the Carmel Clay Schools Board during its Sept. 23 meeting.
EDUCATION
CCS Assistant Superintendent Amy Dudley made the presentation to the board. Seven classes are proposed to be added, five dropped and three modified. The curriculum changes are based on recommendations made by department chairs to the CCS Curriculum Advisory Committee.
ADDED COURSES
• Business Math — In her presentation, Dudley said Business Math would provide an alternative to Algebra II for students in the Class of 2029 or later.
• AP Business With Personal Finance
— The College Board — the organization that created advanced placement — has added AP Business with Personal Finance. The course will offer students the chance to earn college credit.
• Social And Community Services Capstone — A capstone course for the one remaining Human Services pathway: Social and Community Services.
• Computer Integrated Manufacturing — Applies the principles of rapid prototyping, robotics and automation.
• Arabic III — A course based on Indiana’s Academic Standards for World Languages.
• Principles Of Barbering and Cosmetology (Advanced and Capstone) — A two-year program in partnership with the Pursuit Institute and Prestige Beauty School in Indianapolis. Successful completion requires 375 cosmetology studio hours.
MODIFIED COURSES
• IB Design Technology Higher Level — Prerequisite changed to Introduction to Engineering Design or any Project Lead The Way engineering course.
• Principles Of Construction Trades and Principles of Automotive Services — Both courses will add dual credit through Ivy Tech.
DELETED COURSES
• Advanced Science, Materials Science and Advanced Science, Introduction to Organic And Biochemistry — The courses have not been offered for several years because of low enrollment and the addition of ACP Chemistry.
• AP Physics II — Course has not been offered for several years because of low enrollment. Students have moved from AP Physics 1 to AP Physics C, a course that repeats the same principles as AP Physics II did, but with a calculus focus.
• Human & Social Services A, B & Capstone — Eliminated as a pathway because of the Indiana Department of Education’s decision to delete the courses.
• Robotics Design & Innovation — CCS stated in the agenda packet the addition of Engineering Design and Development and IB Design Technology, the course is proposed to “streamline our options”.
Missing girl safely found
annual Carmel on Canvas plein air event Sept. 5–6. Chosen by Carmel artist and educator Irina Smulevitch, Vollmer stood out among 60 acclaimed artists from across the U.S. painting the city’s central corridor.
By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com
Jennifer Delafuente, a 17-year-old girl who had been reported missing by the Carmel Police Department, has been safely found.
MISSING PERSON
On Sept. 24, CPD updated a previously published Facebook post that indicated
Delafuente had been located. When reached by Current, CPD had no further comment on how Delafuente was found or about the investigation, citing her status as a juvenile.
Delafuente was eeported as missing Sept. 3 on the CPD Facebook page. Another Facebook post on the CPD page Sept. 9 requested public help to try to find Delafuente.
Dudley
CHS students earn honors
news@youarecurrent.com
Carmel High School announced Sept. 22 that 54 students have been named Commended Students in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program.
EDUCATION
The students are among approximately 34,000 Commended Students nationwide who are being recognized for exceptional academic promise, according to the NMSP.
Commended Students are recognized based on their outstanding performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, according to the NMSP.
“Being recognized as a Commended Student is a remarkable accomplishment that reflects years of hard work and dedication,” CHS Principal Dr. Tim Phares stated.
The students join 52 National Merit semifinalists from Carmel High School announced Sept. 10.
“We are so proud of our 52 National Merit Semifinalists,” Phares stated. “This recognition reflects their hard work and perseverance, as well as the support of our teachers and families.”
The National Merit Scholarship Program, established in 1955, is one of the most prestigious academic competitions in the United States, according to the organization. More than 1.5 million students enter annually by taking the PSAT/NMSQT. Of those, approximately 16,000 are named Semifinalists, representing the top 1% of high school seniors nationwide.
The CHS students selected as Commended Students in the 2026 National Merit
Scholarship Program are: Minkah Ali, Dedo Azu, Lillian Bose, Aidah Brown, Carter Buhr, Callaway Carmichael, Rachel Comer, Vivi Dong, William Du, Mahesh Duvvuri, Zachary Flint, Ella Guo, Emma Hu, Jennifer Hu, Vedika Jaragala, Asini Jayarapu, Maxwell Johnson, Elijah Jones, Devin Joshi, Akshat Kannan, Zaina Khan, Andrew Kim, Mahitha Konjeti, Abigail Lee, Rebecca Lee, Angela Li, Timothy Lim, Jude Lund, Gracie Lutz, Ethan Martin, William Massey, Arhita Mehta, Grayson Miller, Evelyn Murray, Henry Orman, Navya Pasumarthi, Aarush Patil, Michael Poirer, Aparna Prasad, Isaac Qian, Jakob Sabelhaus, Solomon Seif, Ryan Sharp, Yuvraj Kumar Singh, Gracelyn Tennenhouse, Franklin Vrtis, Dean Watson, Alexia Widjaja, Alexander Woolston, Jessica Xie, Leying Yang, Saanvi Yarrapotu, Jayden Zhang and Jasper Zhu.
The CHS students selected as National Merit semifinalists are: Laksh Agarwal, Shayan Amin, Lukas Biller, Luke Boyce, Jacky Cai, Daniel Craft, Evelyn Cunningham, Benjamin da Silva, Miller Dutton, Jessica Flowers, Nina Godbole, Arya Goel, Sophie Grotjan, Gerald Han, Anaelise Hildebrand, Cardea Hoang, Kate Jentz, Ankur Kapileshwar, Elijah Kim, Riya Koya, Georgia Kraabel, Alan Lai, Brandon Li, Ava Liao, Jackson Miller, Sean Molloy, Mira Nuthakki, Isaac Perrin, Sarah Pike, Anjali Prasad, Samuel Pugh, Allen Qian, Deesha Roopesh, Mukund Sagi, Allison Shen, Madeline Sparks, Kaia Starnino, Kaho Suzuki, Zoya Syed, Rafan Tajwer, Lillian Tennenhouse, Ivy Wei, Olivia Widjaja, Yunwei Xia, Derek Yang, Hillary Yang, Raymond Yang, Jasmine Zhang, Erica Zhao, Kaiwen Zheng, Rachel Zhou and Taylor Zhuang.
Vanquish Shower Mold! Conquer Dirty Grout Lines!
Experience Carmel grant removed from proposed 2026 budgets
By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam is slowing her plans to form a nonprofit to take over management of city events.
CITY NEWS
At a Sept. 23 workshop to discuss the proposed 2026 budget, Finkam said she still intends to work toward eventual creation of the Experience Carmel nonprofit but has reverted a $2.8 million grant to launch it back to the city’s Marketing and Communications Department, which currently plans events.
“I’m proposing to collaborate with the council over the next 12 months to build an Experience Carmel model that meets the needs of our community that we can budget for this time next year,” Finkam said. “While I believe the first of the year timeline is workable, I appreciate that the council did not, as such, moving it out for 12 months should give everyone comfort that Carmel can achieve this change.”
At previous budget workshops, several councilors expressed concerns about the timing and feasibility of the proposal, which included moving more than half of the MAC employees to the new nonprofit.
The reallocated grant funds fall $200,000 short of what’s needed to fund MAC as currently proposed, so Finkam is moving $125,000 from the Economic Development department’s budget to cover the bulk of the discrepancy.
As a result, the city will not participate next year in Indy Chamber’s Indy Partnership, a program that provides data and
other resources to assist with marketing and business attraction in central Indiana. MAC and the Carmel Redevelopment Commission will handle some of the work previously set to be done through Indy Partnership.
City Council President Adam Aasen stated that he appreciates Finkam’s willingness to listen to feedback on the proposed budget from the council and community members.
“This adjustment shows the value of open dialogue and collaboration,” he said. “More changes are likely before the budget comes to a vote in October, but I want to thank the mayor again for working with our council to get this right for our community.”
As a result of Senate Enrolled Act 1 becoming law earlier this year, the city expects to receive $3.8 million less in property tax revenue in 2026 than previously projected. The change has resulted in Carmel — and municipalities statewide — looking for ways to cut costs. SEA1 will cut property tax bills for Hoosiers by up to $300 in 2026.
Another challenge, according to City of Carmel Chief Financial Officer Zac Jackson, is that since the first round of budget workshops Sept. 15 and 16, the Hamilton County auditor reevaluated the city’s net assessed value and reduced it by $285 million. That means the city will have $1.25 million in bonding capacity in 2026 rather than $4 million.
The city council plans to introduce the 2026 budget at its Oct. 6 meeting and will likely vote on it Oct. 20.
DISPATCHES
State of the Campus — Ivy Tech Community College Hamilton County will host its inaugural State of the Campus event from 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 3 at The Bridgewater Club in Carmel. The event will feature Chancellor Rachel Kartz and other campus leaders as they share accomplishments, growth milestones and the vision for the future of Ivy Tech’s Hamilton County campus. Attendees also will hear directly from Ivy Tech students about their personal experiences and the impact the college has had on their educational and career journeys. The morning will feature a breakfast buffet
and opportunities for engagement and networking. Tickets are $45. All event proceeds will benefit Ivy Tech Hamilton County students through the Ivy Tech Foundation. For more, visit link.ivytech.edu/IVY2025.
Carmel Clay History Museum hosts gala –The Carmel Clay Historical Society will host a 50th anniversary gala from 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Carmel Clay History Museum at 211 1st St. in Carmel. The gala will feature the spirit of the 1970s with 70s-inspired music. Food will also be served. The ticket link is buy.stripe.com/aFa5kDdt02Fe7L68DU8g00v or those interested can visit Carmel Clay History Museum for more information.
Finkam
Former councilor questions county’s DV center delay
By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
Hamilton County officials announced Sept. 18 that financial constraints caused by the state’s new property tax law have put plans to build a domestic violence center on hold.
COUNTY
But one former county official is questioning that logic.
Community & Rural Affairs since January.
“They have just not made this a priority like other projects.”
Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt confirmed that the county is yet to reach an agreement with Prevail to operate the center.
Fred Glynn, who served on the Hamilton County Council from 2015 to 2022, said he believes the project is yet to move forward in large part because the county hasn’t yet inked an agreement with Prevail of Central Indiana, a nonprofit that provides crisis intervention and restorative support, to operate it.
He also believes the county has not prioritized the project.
“The county has bonded $60 million for the Hamilton County Judicial Center expansion, spent $35 million for a training center and is getting ready to hand over a total of $100 million to Riverview hospital. With that level of spending, blaming a little $6 million cut from (SEA1) is a little duplicitous,” said Glynn, who has served as executive director of the state’s Office of
“We all have a common goal, but there has to be a good structure in place for how long people will stay in those housing units and who is going to maintain them,” he said. “But we were confident we were going to get it done. Both parties really want it done.”
But he also pointed to the financial impact of SEA1 as a reason the project stalled.
Prevail Executive Director Tami Wanninger directed Current to county officials for information about the project and declined to comment beyond a statement included in a county press release.
“The need for safe and affordable housing for survivors in Hamilton County is urgent and deeply felt,” Wanninger stated. “This project represents years of thoughtful collaboration. We remain steadfast in our commitment to pursuing innovative and sustainable solutions that honor survivors’ needs and their healing journey.”
DISPATCHES
Cherish Center plans annual breakfast — The Cherish Center, a child advocacy center in Hamilton County, will host its annual breakfast from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Oct. 2 at Fishers Municipal Center. This year’s breakfast will honor Cherish’s team members and their efforts fighting child abuse, including local law enforcement agencies, Department of Child Services, Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office and other community partners. For more, visit cherishcac. org/11th-annual-breakfast.
Literary festival planned — Indiana Humanities will celebrate the power of writing with its second “Proof: A Midwest Lit Fest,” set for Oct. 10 and 11, offering workshops, panel discussions, a book fair and activities for writers, readers and lovers of all things literary. Hosted in partnership with local poets Mitchell L.H. Douglas and Chantel Massey, the festival will take place at the Harrison Center, 1505 N. Delaware
St., in Indianapolis. Registration for the free event is encouraged at events.humanitix.com/proof2025
Altrusa club membership drive – The Altrusa club of Hamilton County is combining a membership drive, fundraiser, and donation drive Oct. 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Carmel Christian Church parking lot at 463 E. Main St. in Carmel. Money raised by the event will be used by Altrusa of Hamilton County.
Current seeking freelance reporters and photographers — Current Publishing is seeking talented freelance reporters and photographers to join our team. We’re looking for passionate storytellers who can write compelling articles and capture high-quality images that bring our local news to life. Send your resume, a brief cover letter, and a link to your portfolio or writing samples to zach@youarecurrent.com.
Glynn
Group stresses protecting principles of Constitution
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Sharon Boller saw a need for her fellow citizens to understand the importance of following the U.S. Constitution. So, Boller helped create Voices4Democracy, a grassroots organization.
EVENT
“It’s a group of Hamilton County residents who are trying to make a nonpartisan response to a lot of the things we see happening that we feel like are challenging our democracy,” said Boller, a Carmel resident who is the lead organizer for Voices4Democracy. “So, the goal is to inspire people to learn more about the Constitution itself, which is the framework for American democracy, and to activate them. A lot of people, when they start to get scared or they get disenfranchised, they isolate.”
Several community groups were represented at booths at the Constitution Day Democracy Festival, held Sept. 20 at Civic Square in Carmel. The Constitution was ratified 238 years ago Sept. 17, 1787.
“It’s to help people realize that democracy isn’t a spectator sport, it’s a team sport, and we the people have the power to protect our Constitution, our democracy,” Boller said.
Boller was motivated after attending a Dads for Democracy event in Noblesville in June. She said the Carmel event was organized in about 10 weeks.
“I thought we need to activate our citizens of Carmel and do it in a nonpartisan way,” she said. “This is people over party. This is about bringing us together over the one thing that should unify all of us as citizens, which is our Constitution and our Bill of Rights.”
Boller said the idea is that other communities and counties can host similar festivals. She said the seven speakers were everyday citizens.
“No one holds elected office, and no one is running for office,” she said.
Noblesville resident Brian Jonasen, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran who served 30 years, was one of the speakers.
“During World War II, an entire generation of citizens showed us the ultimate example of service before self,” he said. “Today, we have the opposite tug at the soul of America. Instead of service before self, we find our leaders, from the president on
down, instituting policies and messages of self before service. Instead of leaders working for the benefit of others, we have leaders using their power and authority to gain self-enrichment and accumulate more power. Instead of America investing in the world’s greater good, we are enacting isolationist policies and turning our backs on countries we have long called allies.”
Jonasen said during World War II, the U.S. joined the Allies to fight against authoritarian regimes.
“Eighty years later, we are becoming what we once fought to overthrow,” he said.
Jonasen said the First Amendment right of free speech is under fire for individual citizens, business organizations, universities and media.
“Fourth Amendment rights for unlawful search and seizure are being ignored,” he said. “Fifth Amendment rights are being infringed against undocumented persons and U.S. citizens who have been caught up in Gestapo-like sweeps. Birthright citizenship, codified in the 14th Amendment, is under attack, and voting rights for minorities and women in the 15th and the 19th Amendments are also under attack. This is not a conclusive list. I believe it will not stop growing unless we continue to push back.”
Among other topics, speakers addressed the jeopardization of birthright citizenship and why freedom of the press matters. For more, visit voices4democracy.com.
Carmel resident Sharon Boller was one of the organizers for Constitution Day Democracy Festival. (Photo by Mark Ambrogi)
City employees speak out against salary ordinance
By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
The Carmel City Council’s finance committee unanimously voted Sept. 23 to send an ordinance that sets city employee salaries back to the full council with a negative recommendation.
CITY NEWS
The decision came after a two-hour discussion that included comments from several city employees who expressed frustration about some of the proposed changes and the process of communicating them.
“I have been doing this for awhile, and I have never seen a room full of employees demonstrating concern to city council,” Council member Jeff Worrell said. “So, immediately the hair on the back of my neck is up, and I’m worried — never seen this before.”
The council votes on a salary ordinance every year, but the recent completion of a salary study by the city’s human resources department led to more changes than typically proposed.
City of Carmel Director of Human Resources Nicole Murphy told the committee the study aimed to analyze and update job titles and provide more leeway for employees to receive merit-based raises. Currently, employees generally reach the top of their pay scale within five or six years, meaning they can typically only earn a raise through longevity increases or by changing jobs.
“The current step plan compresses salaries,” Murphy said. “They cap out fast and then they are stuck there.”
This year, 55 percent of city employees have reached the top of their pay scale, Murphy said. In 2026, that number is projected to jump to 70 percent.
No employees will take a pay cut as a result of the proposed revisions to job titles and the salary structure, Murphy said.
Jim Spelbring, who has worked for the city for 45 years, told the committee that he and other street department employees were told that their salaries are in line with neighboring street departments, which he described as a “slap in the face.” He said Carmel’s street department provides more services than in other cities, such as setting up and tearing down the Christkindlmarkt and ice rink, maintain-
ing and repairing statues and hanging artwork.
“We are not equal (to other street departments). To me, we are above and beyond. We are working a lot of hours with no overtime opportunities,” Spelbring said. “We are grateful to receive comp time, but comp time does not help pay the bills.”
Carmel Police Department Crime Scene
Investigator Karen Sutton, who has worked for the city for 20 years, said she is glad sworn employees recently received a significant raise but feels their civilian co-workers, which includes her position, should have received a comparable increase.
She said previously CSI raises were based on increases that her sergeant received, but now there is a “vast difference.”
Several councilors said they are concerned that the city has over-emphasized pay increases for top level positions in recent years.
“The one vote that I regret the most on this council was a vote to change the top pay band, which increased the salaries of all of the top leaders by a huge margin,” said Councilor Ryan Locke, a committee member. “In the face of everything we are entering into now, it feels like a big slap in the face to all mid-level or lesser bureaucrats that we have found a way to find a path through that, and here we are talking about cutting street department overtime when they have to plow the streets if it snows.”
In an email to Current, Mayor Sue FInkam described the city’s compensation system — which was implemented in 1999 — as “outdated.” She said the new structure will provide a clear and transparent path for career growth, reduce pay inequities and benefit taxpayers by offering employees competitive — but not excessive — pay.
“We recognize that change can be unsettling, especially when it involves something as personal and important as compensation,” Finkam stated. “I am committed to delivering a fair and modern approach to compensation for a stronger Carmel that both honors the excellence of our team members and protects taxpayers.”
The city council is expected to discuss the salary ordinance at its Oct. 6 meeting.
Woodard continues commitment to historic preservation
By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com
Turner Woodard has a passion for historic preservation and has breathed new life into Indianapolis-area historic buildings through his philanthropic efforts.
PRESERVATION
A real estate executive who has offices in Carmel, Woodard recently donated $100,000 to Indiana Landmarks, an organization devoted to saving historic buildings and landmarks across the state.
The donation, which honored former Indiana Landmarks President Marsh Davis and was presented in the name of the Woodard Van Riper family (Woodard’s mother, Edna, remarried and took the Van Riper surname), was just the latest in Woodard’s history of supporting historic preservation across the state, including buildings in Carmel.
Woodard is a champion of adaptive reuse of historic buildings. His interest in
historic preservation came from his mother, who was a preservationist. He also had an early interest in vintage cars.
His love of cars has never faded. He has his own team in the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association, and his interest in vintage cars was easily translatable to historic buildings and helping to improve the neighborhoods they are in.
“Preservation works in many ways, but certainly to stimulate neighborhoods where you start fixing up one thing, fixing
Turner Woodard renovated the former Rich Furniture building at 1030 S. Range Line Road and renamed it the Turner Jeffrey building. (Photo by
proceeds into something else for tax purposes. That’s when his connection with Carmel began.
Woodard bought the former Rich Furniture building at 1030 S. Range Line Road, the Keltner Business Plaza at 520 W. Carmel Dr. and the Horton Fan factory building at 201 W. Carmel Dr. He has applied adaptive reuse to his Carmel properties and moved his headquarters to Carmel, too.
up another, and hopefully that catches on,” he said. “That’s a real driving force, and that’s kind of how it happened.”
Woodard’s best-known example of adaptive reuse is the preservation of the Stutz Motor Car Co. factory at 1060 N. Capitol Ave. in downtown Indianapolis. In 1993, he saved the 400,000-square-foot building from demolition and turned it into a hub for business incubators.
Woodard sold the Stutz Motor Car Co. factory in 2021 and had to reinvest the
“I just thought that I would try and apply lessons learned downtown to these properties. And (then-Carmel) Mayor (Jim) Brainard and some of the locals weren’t quite sure about it,” Woodard said. “I think what I had done in the past sort of allowed them to say, ‘Hey, let’s see what’s going to happen.’”
The former Horton Fan factory is now home to The Dink House — a recreational facility — as well as other businesses in building next to the Monon Greenway.
“It’s vibrant as can be,” Woodard said.
The former Rich Furniture building — now called the Turner Jeffrey Building — is also home to several businesses as well as some of Woodard’s prized vintage car collection. Keltner Business Plaza continues to serve multiple businesses.
Woodard
Fishers soccer player’s position change fuels offensive attack
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Fishers High School senior soccer player Elise May has found her new position to be a nice fit.
“I’ve definitely been able to find the back of the net a lot, which I’m happy about,” she said.
In the Tigers’ first 14 matches, May has a team-high nine goals. She had 12 goals as a junior.
“I’m usually a striker, but this season I’ve been put at the attacking midfielder role,” she said. “I feel like I’ve done a good job of how to play the position in a way that can really impact my team.”
Tigers coach Harold Spooner said the 5-foot-7 May exclusively played forward last season but has moved her around this season to avoid double teams.
“Her biggest skill set has always been her ability to physically overpower the defense,” Spooner said. “She is almost impossible to defend with one defense because she has a unique kind of blend of both strength and speed. She had that coming in as a freshman, but it’s gotten more de-
MEET ELISE MAY
Favorite athlete: Sophia (Smith) Wilson
Favorite genre of music: Country
Favorite subject: Biology
Favorite TV show: “Gilmore Girls”
veloped over the years.”
Spooner said May is an exceptional role model for her teammates.
“She works harder than anyone else,” he said. “She will do what needs to be done. She ultimately wants the team to be as successful as it can possibly be. On top of that, she is a great student and does all the stuff outside of the classroom.”
Spooner said other players work hard but it helps when the most talented player
sets an example.
Elise May scored nine goals in the team’s first 14 matches this season.
(Photo courtesy of Kelly Applegate)
“It definitely sets the tone for the rest of the players and future players in the program,” he said.
May, who has committed to Butler University, plays for the Indy Eleven 2007 Pro Academy Elite Clubs National League team.
“Indy Eleven has been amazing for me,” she said. “The environment is super competitive there and I’ve also gotten opportunities to play with the USLW (pre-professional) team, which has been great.
I got to play in several games this past season. Just being in the environment with successful collegiate athletes has really helped me elevate my game. I’m excited to have that opportunity again leading into college.”
May said she chose Butler because she was impressed with the coaching staff.
“When I took the visit there, I knew that is where I wanted to go,” she said. “The team culture is absolutely amazing, and that is something that is so important to me. I see myself fitting in because it’s such a competitive environment and everyone just has the desire to win.”
May, who wants to become a pediatric physician’s assistant, is an intern in a retirement home. She helps with social activities for the residents. She will shadow a physician’s assistant next semester.
She also mentors younger soccer players.
“I’ve always loved working with kids,” she said. “I love to help kids have these goals and then achieve them.”
To nominate a high school student for Athlete of the Week, contact mark@ youarecurrent.com.
WELCOMING Dr. Erik Gerlach to Indiana Spine Group
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CFD launches resource hub
By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com
LOVE HOW YOU LOOK.
PUBLIC SAFETY
The Carmel Fire Department and its Mobile Integrated Health Program have created a new online Community Resources hub. It connects residents with services and support throughout the city, including areas of community interest.
Bruce Frost, Mobile Integrated Health officer for the CFD, said he created the website because of feedback from the community about the lack of a one-stop community resources center.
“I’ve been thinking about doing it for a while,” Frost said. “I knew there a lack of resource knowledge for people out there because everybody I would go to would say, ‘I didn’t know we had all of this stuff available.’”
Frost said he was further inspired to start the site when he saw a survey sponsored by the city that asked Carmel senior
adults if they knew what resources were available to them.
“I think only 30 percent of the people knew where they could get resources from,” Frost said. “I knew I needed to do something to get those numbers up.”
The Community Resources hub has 11 subpages devoted to community and social connection; food and nutrition; health care and mental health; hospice assistance; house cleanup; housing and day facilities; legal; miscellaneous services; state and local guidebooks; transportation; and veterans resources.
Frost began work on the Community Resources hub in January and the page went live last month.
“My position is Mobile Integrated Health officer. My job is to get resources and help with nonmedical situations,” Frost said. “Maybe it’ll help (residents) not have to call 911 or go to the hospital before that moment occurs.”
The website is bit.ly/4gIiiBN.
Veterans sponsor resource fair
news@youarecurrent.com
The Hamilton County Veterans Corp. will present the Hamilton County Community Resource Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Boys & Girls Club of Noblesville, 1700 Conner St.
ASSISTANCE
The free event is designed to promote a stronger and more connected Hamilton County. The fair will include more than 90 booths for groups and organizations representing numerous resources for the military and veteran community and residents of Hamilton County.
“We hope to reach as many of our military/veteran population as possible and to encourage our whole community to stop in and see what we are doing to connect our neighbors to the resources (and) benefits that can help them live a more fulfilled life here in Hamilton County,” stated Bill Doss, secretary of the HCVC.
Resources available for visitors to the fair will include providers and outreach specialists from federal, state and county health, mental health and benefit service providers; Indiana Department of Veteran Affairs; Military OneSource; Indiana WorkOne; the Hamilton County Health Department; and representatives for senior
care, mental health and wellness, suicide awareness, housing, legal, insurance and Social Security programs.
The free event is sponsored by HCVC; IU Health; Duke Energy; American Legion Post 470 in Fishers; Carmel American Legion Post 155; Carmel VFW Post 10003; Navy Club Ship 29; the IDVA; Starbucks; and RISE Fest. HCVC has been assisting the Hamilton County military and veteran community since 2003. The nonprofit partners with veteran service organizations to assist active military, veterans and the families of fallen heroes with advocacy, suicide awareness programs and community resources.
Learn more at hamiltoncountyveterans. com.
Visitors at the 2024 Hamilton County Community Resource Fair in Noblesville. (File photo)
Remembering Nancy Leonard
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Bill Benner always referred to Nancy Leonard as the Indiana Pacers’ “first lady.”
TRIBUTE
Nancy, a longtime Carmel resident and the wife of the late Pacers coach and broadcaster Bobby “Slick” Leonard, died Sept. 23 at age 93.
“She wasn’t just the person who stood behind her husband Bobby ’Slick’ Leonard, she walked alongside him, and her work with the Pacers through their days of financial struggling of transition from the ABA to the NBA and the subsequent telethon make her one of the founding principal members of all that Indianapolis has become,” said Benner, a former Pacers beat writer and columnist for the Indianapolis Star who later was a Pacers senior vice president.
have a guarantee for season tickets for a certain amount of income or the franchise was going to be sold because they had an absentee owner at the time.”
Montieth said the telethon was on television for 24 hours.
“They were asking for volunteers to come in and perform,” he said.
“When they announced the season ticket sales at 8,028, she’s crying.”
Montieth said kids bringing in their piggy banks to donate for the cause was what made her cry.
Nancy organized a telethon in 1977 that helped the Pacers raise enough money through ticket sales to prevent the team from being moved.
“Had the Pacers not survived in 1977, it’s difficult to say what our evolution as both a professional and amateur sports destination might have been,” Benner said. “She was absolutely integral.”
Benner, a Geist-area resident, said the “Save the Pacers Telethon” was Nancy’s idea. She organized it to keep the Pacers in Indianapolis.
“There were other people interested in acquiring the franchise and moving it to destinations mostly out west,” Benner said.
Nancy was the Pacers’ assistant general manager when the team joined the NBA while her husband was the coach and general manager.
“She was running the business side of a traditional basketball franchise in the 1970s,” Benner said. “That just didn’t happen, but she was doing it because of her incredible business acumen. She was one smart lady.”
Fishers resident Mark Montieth, who covered the Pacers for the Indy Star and Pacers.com, wrote a book about the Pacers’ early days called “Reborn: The Pacers and the Return of Pro Basketball to Indianapolis.”
“She was a very decisive and organized person,” Montieth said. “She put that telethon together in a brief amount of time. She got an alert that the Pacers had to
“She was just the driving force for so many things, including Slick,” he said. “She literally drove him because when he coached the Baltimore Bullets (in the 1960s), they lost the game, and he was mad and drove home recklessly. She said, ‘From now on, I’m driving.’ From then on, she drove to and from the game, whether he was coaching or broadcasting. There’s no doubt she was in command of that household.”
Montieth said Slick understood his wife’s strengths.
“He knew she was smarter than him, more organized than him and more sophisticated,” he said. “He looked up to her. Slick knew he couldn’t make it without her. He would say he never wrote a check in his life. He didn’t know how computers work. He said, ‘I just know how to coach and make sales calls.’”
Nancy had a successful real estate career as well.
David Craig, an athletic trainer for the Pacers from 1970-2005, remained close with Nancy, having had dinner with her a week before she died.
“The Pacers organization was like one big family and that was instituted and progressed with the Leonards,” Craig said. “They made it happen.”
The Simon family and Pacers Sports & Entertainment released the following statement:
“We are heartbroken to hear of Nancy Leonard’s passing. Quite simply, we would not be here without her. From the earliest days of the franchise, Nancy poured her heart and soul into the team, not just as the wife of Slick Leonard, but as a female trailblazer who rallied the community when we needed it most. From organizing the now-legendary telethon that helped save the team to being a constant presence courtside as a superfan, her passion for the organization made her beloved by generations of players, alumni and staff.”
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Leonard
Election board fails to OK vote centers
YOUR IMPACT MATTERS!
ELECTION
The Hamilton County Election Board failed to get the unanimous vote needed to move the county from traditional precinct-based voting to a countywide vote center model Sept. 18.
The Hamilton County Council and the Hamilton County Commissioners previously voted in favor of the initiative. Under Indiana law, a vote center model requires approval from all three governing bodies.
Hamilton County Communications Director Tammy Sander said Hamilton County Clerk Kathy Kreag Williams and Democratic appointee Greg Purvis voted in favor of the measure. Republican appointee Ray Adler cast the deciding vote against it.
Sander said Williams, who served as a member of the Indiana House of Representatives and sponsored the legislation that gave counties the option to adopt vote centers in 2006, has long championed the initiative.
“With our growth to (more than) 280,000 registered voters, it was the right fit at the right time,” Williams stated.
Sander said the Allen County Election Board approved a similar proposal Sept. 15.
“I just think we should let Allen County go through it and see what problems they have,” Adler stated. “We’re changing voting for hundreds of thousands of people and I want to make sure it’s not an experiment.”
Sander said public sentiment in a recent countywide survey also suggested 60 percent of respondents were in favor of moving to the vote center model and 10 percent were indifferent.
“It’s disappointing because I know there was a lot of bipartisan support for the measure,” Purvis stated. “I wish Mr. Adler had shared some of his concerns more openly. Maybe we could have worked through it. We’ve spent a lot of time trying to make sure this worked right just to have it go nowhere.”
Precinct-based voting will remain in place for the 2026 primary and general elections. Without the vote centers, Sander said the county will have to find polling locations for 15 new precincts for the 2026 election, bringing the total number of precincts to 235. The vote center model would have only required 57 locations.
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
PROFILE IN COURAGE
Fishers resident stays positive through cancer fight
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
Fishers resident Leah Hempfling, a phone triage nurse for Riley Children’s Health Neurology in Carmel, is no stranger to the heavy physical and mental strains of life-threatening medical battles — including her own.
A three-time cancer survivor, Hempfling, 55, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2009. She was in remission for 12 years before being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020.
Since then, she has had two recurrences. Yet, she has remained strong throughout her healing journey and is resolute in her fight against the disease.
“I think some of the positives is that my breast cancers have been found early, and it’s treatable,” Hempfling said. “I hold on to the hope that as long as I stay strong and keep a positive mind, I’m going to get through this. I’m not going down without a fight.”
Hempling’s oncologist, Dr. Nawal Kassem, said her unwavering strength and determination helps her with treatment.
“Throughout the time I’ve known her, if anything came up or she was concerned about something, she would let me know,” Kassem said. “Staying positive has helped her tremendously throughout all of this. She’s a perfect example of resilience.”
Hempfling was initially diagnosed with right breast cancer and chose to have a right lumpectomy, a surgical procedure to remove a small tumor or lump from the breast.
Continued on Page 16
Fishers resident Leah Hempfling during cancer treatment. (Photos courtesy of Emma Packard)
Kassem
“You can’t just put it off.”
Heather, Breast Cancer Survivor
Life is known for throwing curveballs, which is why it’s important to plan ahead. This includes prioritizing your annual mammogram. The simple screening takes about 15 minutes, and with Community Health Network, you have the option to schedule ahead of time or visit one of the walk-in clinics. When it comes to a reliable, safe and certain way to prioritize your health — and your peace of mind — you can count on the experts at Community Health Network.
Annual mammograms are an essential part of your health routine. Something so simple and convenient can save your life.
Schedule your screening mammogram today or find a walk-in location near you at eCommunity.com/mammogram
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
Hoosier Breast Cancer Advocates helped organize “Pink Out the Statehouse” in spring to bring awareness to lawmakers. (Photo courtesy of Heather Pirowski)
Advocacy group works to improve laws, save lives
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Breast cancer survivor Heather Pirowski co-founded Hoosier Breast Cancer Advocates in part because of her son’s high school AP research project, which showed most women didn’t understand that the legally required dense breast tissue notification means cancer is more difficult to see and they might want to get a more thorough screening.
Pirowski said she was one of those women.
“I didn’t realize that when, if you have dense breasts, mammograms don’t really work because dense breasts hide and mask cancer,” she said. “If I would have been told that I needed additional diagnosis testing, who knows if I would have been Stage 3 inflammatory breast cancer when I was officially diagnosed?”
Pirowski teamed up with another breast cancer survivor, Carrie Cagnassola, to form Hoosier Breast Cancer Advocates and together they were able to convince state lawmakers in 2024 to change the notification, making it clearer, and to improve the standard of care provided to people with breast cancer.
This year, she said, they worked with lawmakers to establish a state fund to support breast cancer research. The fund doesn’t have any money in it yet because of fiscal challenges, she said, but creating it was a first, important step in the process. She hopes that in the near future, funds will be made available to help save lives.
“Over 5,500 Hoosiers are diagnosed with breast cancer every year — That’s the entire town of Cicero diagnosed with breast cancer every year,” she said. “And over 900 of us die, which is the town of Shipshewana, dead every year of breast cancer.”
Pirowski said she’ll “talk about boobs” anytime to help raise awareness among lawmakers as well as the general public. To that end, her group helped organize “Pink Out the Statehouse” in March, which brought more than 20 breast cancer organizations to the capitol for a program that included an audience of 48 state lawmakers. It was so successful, she said another “Pink Out the Statehouse” already has been scheduled for Feb. 17, 2026.
Hoosier Breast Cancer Advocates is “small but mighty,” Pirowski said, with only three organizers who coordinate the group’s volunteers and advocates throughout Indiana. She added that they plan to launch a new “Pink Out” podcast to share survivor stories, information about research and more.
For more, visit hoosierbcadvocates.com.
Early detection, doctors give woman new outlook after cancer
By Samantha Kupiainen news@youarecurrent.com
[Editor’s note: To protect her medical privacy, Current is not publishing Melissa’s last name.]
When Melissa’s doctor told her that her routine mammogram turned up “something that we just need to keep an eye on,” she knew in her gut what it was. She didn’t need to wait for further testing to know she had breast cancer.
“I didn’t want to dwell on it,” said Melissa, a breast cancer survivor. “I was ready to take those next steps before we even knew that official diagnosis.”
Doctors had a hard time staging her cancer because it was caught so early. Throughout treatment, she was never given a stage. Prior to her annual mammogram, she had virtually no signs or symptoms that anything was wrong.
According to the National Institute of Health, most breast cancers are most commonly detected through mammograms, an X-ray of the breast that can detect cancer before signs or symptoms surface.
Dr. Samuel Heiser, a surgeon at Riverview Health and a member of Melissa’s care team, said finding breast cancer early is key because that’s when it’s most treatable.
Currently, there are four ways to treat breast cancer.
“Surgery is used first, either just a lumpectomy where we remove just the tumor, or it can be a mastectomy, where the whole breast is removed,” Heiser said.
Additional treatment options include radiation or chemotherapy. For Melissa, her case required radiation. According to Mayo Clinic, “Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. It can be used to treat many types of cancer, including breast cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer.”
“We’re lucky enough now to have very specific testing that can indicate whether or not chemotherapy might be successful for a particular person,” Heiser said. “Not everybody by any means gets chemotherapy for their breast cancer, but we can test to see what the probability is that chemotherapy would be helpful.”
Lastly, in some cases, endocrine therapy or hormone blocking therapy is a successful option in treating breast cancer.
The American Cancer Society reports “about 316,950 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women” in 2025. Melissa began treatment at the beginning of June 2025 and was
cancer-free by the end of July 2025.
Throughout the treatment process, Melissa stayed active and didn’t require much downtime, which she said was a blessing and helped her stay positive throughout.
Looking back on her cancer journey, Melissa said the three main components that helped were her care team, a positive mindset and not a lot of downtime. She also kept the circle of people who knew about her diagnosis small, which she did intentionally so others wouldn’t voice opinions or foment fear.
“I’m a pretty big faith-based person, so having that trust that it was going to be OK,” she said. “I didn’t feel down. I never had that ‘woe is me.’ I moved through the process and they (doctors) kept me very informed. I think getting that information makes you feel like you know what to expect and it doesn’t make it scary anymore. I think that’s why there’s such a stigmatism. It doesn’t have to be scary.”
When Melissa was diagnosed, she got a second opinion.
“I needed to know that that was where I was supposed to be,” she said.
She received her treatment through Riverview Health, where she was first diagnosed. Doctors there encouraged her to get a second opinion.
“It is a very different feeling when you go to different places, and maybe some place that was comfortable for me might not be comfortable for everybody else, but you have to find that,” she said. “I think that makes a big difference on your road, your recovery, all of the procedures.”
Melissa recalls her care team calling her on weekends to check in. She also said she felt comfortable asking questions and appreciated being able to call her nurse navigator whenever she needed her.
“I think having a support group that you trust is a huge part of the process and recovery,” Melissa said. “For me, it was my family, my doctors — all of them, down to all of the therapists. I felt very comfortable asking any question that I had and they made me feel very comfortable asking any question.”
Now that she’s cancer-free, Melissa looks forward to the future and has a positive outlook.
“It’s been, I think, a really good experience,” she said. “That sounds crazy to say, but I think sometimes things like this are wakeup calls, not only to make sure you’re taking care of yourself but making sure you’re prioritizing what needs to be prioritized in your life. I can’t say that I’m great at it because I don’t know anybody that’s great at it, but making sure what is important is really front and center of my life.”
Heiser
Continued from Page 15
“Of course, the first time I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was in shock and had a hard time with it,” Hempfling said.
Following surgery, her doctors, including Kassem, a breast oncologist specializing in genetics at the IU Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center in Carmel, discovered her cancer had advanced.
Hempfling underwent four rounds of high-dose chemotherapy and 15 radiation treatments. She also started endocrine therapy, a type of cancer treatment that uses hormones or drugs to alter the hormone balance in the body.
Following treatment, in 2022, doctors discovered she had a tumor in her left breast.
“The second time, I was even more shocked,” Hempfling said. “I just have to have a positive attitude. I can’t let cancer define who I am, and I can’t sit at home feeling sorry for myself.”
Kassem said a biopsy showed estrogen receptor-negative ductal carcinoma.
“When we see that, it essentially tells us that this is a Stage 0 breast cancer, and usually the treatment is going in for surgery to see if there’s an invasive disease in the vicinity,” Kassem said.
Hempfling chose to have a double mastectomy, a surgical procedure to remove both breasts. Kassem said when she went in for surgery, the mass was larger than expected.
“Quite frankly, the biopsy didn’t even give us a clear indication,” Kassem said. “It was not Stage 0. It was triple-negative breast cancer.”
Kassem said the goal was to do 18 chemotherapy treatments, but Hempfling was struggling with wound healing following surgery, so she only completed 12.
“It was toxicity from chemotherapy, in addition to the fact that she had complications post-surgery, in addition to the fact that she’s had several rounds of chemotherapy in the five- or seven-years prior,” Kassem said.
Following a reconstructive surgery in 2023 and the removal of her chemotherapy port in 2024, Hempfling received more devastating news — a recurrence of right breast cancer.
“It was a little shocking,” Hemp-
fling said. “I was told if I had the double mastectomy and went through chemo and radiation, it would help put me in remission. So, finding the cancer, especially back in my right breast, was really surprising. But I finally was able to tell myself that I’m at peace with this.”
Hempfling had a right axillary lymph node dissection, a procedure that involves removing lymph nodes from the armpit. She chose not to undergo more chemotherapy.
“She had a significant number of positive lymph nodes when they did the surgery,” Kassem said. “I wasn’t enthused about her doing chemotherapy, and I told her I did not know how much benefit, if any, that she would derive from it.”
Hempfling now takes two cancer drugs, tamoxifen and verzenio, to stop cancer cell growth. She said although she carries herself well, her cancer journey has been difficult.
Hemplfing encourages cancer patients to take things day by day.
“I would tell other patients to make sure they feel comfortable with their medical team and ask a lot of questions,” Hempfling said. “I know sometimes it can be hard. I do have my days when I’m not feeling very well, but I’m able to get up every morning and go to work. I just want to continue living.”
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
How cosmetic tattoos help restore wholeness after surgery
Commentary By Kait James
The journey of healing after breast surgery extends far beyond physical recovery. It encompasses emotional, psychological and spiritual aspects, as well.
For individuals undergoing nipple reconstruction through cosmetic tattooing, the process of healing is not only about restoring physical aesthetics but also about reclaiming a sense of wholeness and self-confidence. It is a profound journey of healing during the post-cosmetic tattooed nipple phase, highlighting the importance of self-care, emotional support and embracing the beauty of resilience.
Nurturing the healing process following the cosmetic tattooing of nipples, the initial phase of healing begins. This period is characterized by sensitivity, as the skin adjusts to the pigmentation and the body initiates its natural healing mechanisms. It’s crucial during this time to prioritize gentle care, ensuring that the treated area remains clean, hydrated and protected from external irritants.
PRACTICAL
TIPS FOR HEALING
Keep the area clean: Follow the aftercare instructions provided by your cosmetic tattoo artist diligently. Gently cleanse the treated area with mild soap and water to prevent infection and promote healing.
Moisturize regularly: Apply a recommended moisturizer or healing ointment to keep the skin hydrated and prevent dryness or cracking.
Avoid sun exposure: Protect the treated area from direct sunlight and UV radiation, as exposure can cause fading and affect the longevity of the tattoo.
Avoid abrasive activities: Refrain from engaging in activities that may irritate or traumatize the healing skin, such as rigorous exercise or wearing tight clothing.
Patience is key: Understand that the healing process takes time; be patient with your body as it adjusts to the cosmetic tattooing.
EMBRACING EMOTIONAL HEALING
Beyond the physical aspects, the journey of healing also involves emotional resilience and self-compassion. For many individuals, undergoing cosmetic tattooing for nipple reconstruction is a deeply personal and empowering experience. It’s essential to acknowledge and honor the emotional journey, allowing
oneself to feel a range of emotions from gratitude and joy to vulnerability and sensitivity.
COPING STRATEGIES:
Seek support: Surround yourself with a supportive network of friends, family or fellow survivors who can offer empathy, understanding and encouragement.
Express yourself: Journaling, art therapy, or engaging in creative activities can provide an outlet for processing emotions and expressing oneself authentically.
Practice self-compassion: Be gentle with yourself during this vulnerable time. Practice self-care rituals that nourish your mind, body and spirit, whether it’s meditation, gentle yoga or spending time in nature.
Celebrate milestones: Acknowledge and celebrate milestones in your healing journey, whether it’s the completion of the tattooing process or small victories along the way. Stay connected: Stay connected with your cosmetic tattoo artist for follow-up appointments and ongoing support throughout the healing process. They can offer guidance, reassurance and touch-ups as needed.
THE BEAUTY OF RESILIENCE
As the body heals and the cosmetic tattooed nipples settle into final appearance, there’s a profound beauty in the resilience of the human spirit. Each scar, each imperfection, tells a story of survival and strength — a testament to the journey of transformation and renewal. By embracing the process of healing with compassion, patience and self-love, individuals can emerge from their cosmetic tattooed-nipple journey with a newfound sense of confidence, wholeness and beauty.
Healing during the post-cosmetic tattooed nipple phase is a multifaceted journey that encompasses physical, emotional and spiritual dimensions. By nurturing the body with gentle care, embracing emotional healing with compassion and self-expression, and celebrating the beauty of resilience, individuals can navigate this transformative process with grace and empowerment. Ultimately, the journey of healing is not just about restoring what was lost but also about discovering newfound strength, self-acceptance and beauty in the journey itself.
Kait James is the owner of Lux in the Village of WestClay in Carmel. She is a licensed esthetician, as well as an Indiana University graduate with a degree in psychology and a Kelley School graduate with an MBA in business health care management. For more information, email her at luxurydebeaute@gmail.com.
James
Leah Hempfling, a three-time cancer survivor and a phone triage nurse for Riley Children’s Health Neurology in Carmel, said she won’t go down without a fight.
(Photo courtesy of Emma Packard)
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
Supporting your senses during chemo: an Ayurvedic path
Commentary by Rachel Greenberg
SOUND: RESTORING HARMONY
While chemotherapy is one of modern medicine’s greatest gifts, it also places deep demands on the body. It calls for strength, resilience and patience while testing the spirit in equal measure. Yet, the human body is not fragile; it holds a profound intelligence with the capacity to heal and regenerate. As recipients of chemotherapy, our central priority is stress reduction through lifestyle choices that support the body’s natural healing intelligence.
Ayurveda, the ancient science of balance from India, offers gentle practices that complement medical treatment. By being intentional about what we eat, see, hear, touch and smell, we can invite steadiness, comfort and joy into daily life. These shifts become a way to reclaim agency, nurture body and spirit, and move with greater ease through the challenges of cancer treatment.
TASTE: FOOD AS MEDICINE
What we eat directly affects energy, digestion and comfort. During chemo, appetite may shift, but gentle nourishment can make a difference.
• Favor: Warm, cooked meals such as soups, stews and porridge; root vegetables; mild spices like ginger, turmeric and cinnamon; and soothing teas such as chamomile or licorice.
• Reduce: Cold or raw foods, heavily processed meals, fried or spicy dishes, alcohol and excess caffeine.
SIGHT: CREATING CALM
The eyes influence mood and stress levels more than we realize. Surroundings that feel chaotic can heighten anxiety.
• Favor: Natural light, soft colors (such as green and blue), simple and uncluttered spaces, flowers, or time spent looking at trees, sky or water.
Sound directly impacts the nervous system. Gentle choices help regulate mood and energy.
• Favor: Calming music, such as acoustic or soft instrumental; nature sounds; short periods of quiet and gentle, guided meditations.
• Reduce: Constant exposure to screens, harsh lighting, clutter and distressing media.
• Reduce: Loud television, aggressive or fast-tempo music, constant background noise and overstimulation from multitasking.
TOUCH: COMFORT AND GROUNDING
The skin is a gateway for soothing the body. Gentle touch can ease tension and promote rest.
• Favor: Soft clothing, warm baths, weighted blankets, or light self-massage and extra hugs from loved ones.
• Reduce: Synthetic fabrics that irritate the skin, harshly cold environments, or overstimulation from rough textures.
SMELL: HEALING AROMAS
Scent connects directly to memory and emotion, offering quick relief from stress or discomfort.
• Favor: Lavender, rose, sandalwood, or peppermint essential oils; the aroma of warm herbal teas; fresh flowers; or clean, natural air.
• Reduce: Strong chemical cleaners, synthetic fragrances, cigarette smoke and overpowering scents that may worsen nausea.
A GENTLE REMINDER
Ayurveda does not replace medical treatment, but it does offer supportive tools. By favoring sensory experiences that nourish and reducing those that overwhelm, you can create more ease during chemotherapy and give your body and spirit steady ground to heal.
Rachel Greenberg is an Ayurvedic health counselor. For more information, you may email her at bookofrach@gmail.com.
Breast
of the most preferred cancer care teams in the state, our breast cancer surgeons receive 4.9 out of 5 stars from our patients.
Greenberg
COUNTRY LIVING
their dream owning, operating Hawesome Farm
By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com
Suburban living is what characterizes life in Carmel for most residents, but it wasn’t always that way. Many areas inside Carmel’s city limits were once dotted with family farms.
Although no longer a farming community, there are still traces of that farming past in Carmel.
Hawesome Farm at 4410 W. 141st St. is a classic example. It brings a bit of rural character to the city and shows suburbia what the world of farming is all about.
Julie and Justin Hawes own, live and work on the 6-acre farm. Julie, a former corporate benefit advisor, and Justin, a global support supervisor for Salesforce, formerly lived on the southeast side of Indianapolis. They bought and renovated the farm in 2020. They had no farming experience but had a love of the outdoors and a dream for their four children.
“We thought it was critical for our kids to see where their food came from and to have firsthand farming experience,” Julie Hawes said.
There is a barn and chicken coop on the Hawesome Farm that houses 200 chickens, 15 ducks and five lambs. There also is a greenhouse and an orchard with apple and pear trees.
The farm has two business sides. The animals, greenhouse and orchard serve the farm-to-table side of the operation. The poultry produce eggs and the lambs — a Suffolk Southdown hybrid — are processed for meat.
Hawesome Farm also is a destination for local children to learn how farms work and to have a private place to experience the outdoors. Hawesome Farms also has open hours where anyone can visit.
“(The camp) just started as inviting friends and small groups over. We saw that the community really loved that they could get close to animals and get to experience this tiny urban farm,” Julie Hawes said.
The farm has hosted day camps for the last two years and field trips for local schools. The Hawes built a 700-square-foot treehouse, and Justin Hawes carved a trail system through the wooded part of the
property, which also has an archery range.
But animals are the main attraction.
“(Kids) really enjoy the ducks,” Justin Hawes said. “The lambs are fun to look at. They like hearing them and feeding them, but I would say you can really engage with a little animal.”
The Hawes said day camps and field trips are designed to be a fun, educational experience as well as a chance for kids to be exposed to the outdoors and learn the farm-to-table process.
The Hawes are also insprired by their Christian faith.
“Kids know eggs from going to Target, buying eggs, and bringing them home,” Ju-
lie Hawes said. “They don’t know the whole backstory. We don’t have any roosters, as an example. Hens lay eggs, and (kids) don’t realize these kinds of things until we start to teach them about it.”
The Hawes tactfully explain to kids that the lambs are eventually used for food.
“We’re extremely gentle with the conversation. We want to use words that make sense to the kids depending on their age,” Julie Hawes said. “We explain that the best thing we can do is to raise the animal ethically. They’re living their best days in a happy, clean environment. Honoring the meat is the great way to look at it.”
The farm continues to grow. A building is being constructed on the property that will serve as an academy to enhance the educational aspects of the farm.
Hawesome Farm is open year-round to the public three days per week. The farm is open from 3 to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekends. It is occasionally open for passers-by on other days. Admission is free but a donation or purchase of eggs is encouraged.
For more, visit hawesomefarm.com for an updated calendar of events.
ON
FARM LIVING
Hawesome Farm owners Julie and Justin Hawes had no agricultural experience before taking up farming.
“We had absolutely no farm experience whatsoever. It was nothing either of our parents or their parents had done,” Julie Hawes said.
The allure of starting a farm was rooted in wanting to expose their four children to where their food came from as well as a love of the outdoors.
What became Hawesome Farm — 4410 W. 141st St. — was overgrown, including foliage growing in the house when the Hawes looked at it in 2020.
“We saw the vision in it. It took us no time to see what was possible,” Julie Hawes said.
The Hawes said it’s important to pass along farm life to their kids and for the next generation to learn how important farming is and how it works.
“We really believed that if we don’t do this, if we don’t introduce farming into our family for generations to come, it’s going to remain that way,” Julie Hawes said. “It’s hard. You deal with unbelievable struggles, but also, you have unbelievable beauty.”
Carmel couple living
THE COVER: Julie and Justin Hawes established Hawesome Farm at 4410 W. 141st St. in Carmel in 2020. From left, son Rome Hawes, Justin Hawes, daughter Novella Hawes, daughter London Hawes, Julie Hawes, son Lazarus Hawes with dog, Hunter. (Picture courtesy of Julie Hawes)
Lambs are raised at Hawesome Farm and processed for meat. The lambs are a Suffolk Sundown hybrid. (Photos by Todd Golden)
The Hawes family built a large treehouse for kids to have a place to play when they host day camps at Hawesome Farm.
Chickens are popular for kids who visit Hawesome Farm, but eggs also serve the farm-totable concept that also is part of the mission of the farm.
State
Indiana
New women’s clothing store brings luxury fashion to Carmel
By Brittney Dial Testin news@youarecurrent.com
Kristie Smith wanted to bring high-end, luxury shopping experience to Carmel when she opened VERVE women’s clothing store in August at 750 Veterans Way at Carmel City Center.
RETAIL
“No penny was spared on the new construction build-out, aesthetics, and interior design. We have limited inventory on the floor with a large stockroom,” Smith said. “Think NYC Soho shopping meets Carmel. It makes the shopping experience amazing and allows us to showcase more inventory styles to choose from.”
Smith wants the apparel she sells at VERVE to be considered “fashion for the cool girl” for her customers.
“We have a good mix of denim, casual, dressy, going-out items … and we are bringing back event dresses which you cannot buy anywhere in this town. Our client loves the latest trends, likes to dress cute, and appreciates great quality,” Smith said.
Smith said she has a highly trained, proactive staff who figuratively “owns the store”.
“We have all the brands,” Smith said, “Seventy-five percent of our brands are recognizable and the remaining brands are curated. Some brands we have because (customers) heard about how fabulous VERVE is and reached out to see if we would carry them.”
The store’s name is derived from legend-
ary singer Ella Fitzgerald’s record company. “I found out her record label she started was Verve Records, a French word meaning ‘high energy’” Smith said. Smith also founded Carmel-based real estate brokerage, Indy Homes. VERVE’s storefront is next door to Indy Homes. “We designed the spaces so they open up and can host up to 50 people for events,” Smith said. “The Indy Homes side has a full kitchen, and the AV (audio-visual) system is integrated together through both spaces. We can host shopping events combined with wine tastings, private chefs, fashion shows, charity actions, etc.” Smith said VERVE is a “passion project”.
“It’s my gift to women who were like me, struggling to navigate shopping in this big city with limited options,” she said. For more, visit shopverve.com.
DISPATCHES
Lopez receives Chamber honor — Indiana Representative Danny Lopez (R-Carmel) received was named a Champion Freshman Legislator by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. Lopez was praised by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce for his advocacy for “Indiana’s economic competitiveness” in a press release. Lopez also received a voting score of 100 percent based on being aligned with the Chamber of Commerce’s voting desire. Along with Lopez, Wendy Dant Chesser (D-Jeffersonville) was also named as a Champion Freshman Legislator.
500 Festival appoints new board members, officers — The 500 Festival
announced its elected officers for its 20252026 500 Festival Board of Directors, which includes six new members. New officers also were named to the board. New officers are board chair Christina Moungey, vice chair Roger Harvey, secretary Bali Heir, treasurer Jeff Harrison and immediate past chair Jim Callaghan. New board members are Laurie Henry-Bradley of McDonald’s; Greg Goelzer of Goelzer Investment Management; Angela Smith Jones of Indiana University; Tadd Miller of Milhaus; Doug Talley of the National Bank of Indianapolis; and Karen Woods of First Financial Bank. For more, visit 500festival.com.
VERVE owner Kristie Smith opened the women’s clothing store in Carmel City Center in August. (Photo courtesy of VERVE)
Blueprint for Improvement: From closed off to contemporary
Commentary by Larry Greene
This Carmel kitchen, only steps away from the Monon Trail, underwent a remarkable transformation, opening the floor plan and introducing modern finishes for function and style.
THE BLUEPRINT
• Transformed a dark, closed-off kitchen into a bright, open space by removing walls and reimagining the layout.
• Installed a massive island with seating, storage and prep space, now the centerpiece for both cooking and entertaining.
• Upgraded to professional-grade appliances, including a striking ZLINE range that combines style and performance.
• Kept the original hardwood floors and gave them new life with a fresh stain.
• Added quartz countertops and a vertical lay tile backsplash for modern elegance.
• Finished with statement pendant lighting to define the space.
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.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Show Dates
A deep dive into the season’s artistic offerings
JAZZ BAND BRINGS ORIGINAL SOUND
Squirrel Nut Zippers to perform ‘lively’ show at Payne & Mencias Palladium
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Squirrel Nut Zippers features a combination of jazz and swing music with roots from a bygone era.
“It’s the showmanship of an early show biz or vaudeville show as well,” said James “Jimbo” Mathus, a founding member. “We’re known for writing, composing our own numbers. It’s not a historical recreation. It’s all original material, varying influences but between the 1930s, ’40s era of swing jazz, hot jazz, Harlem jazz, gypsy jazz and all the early weird American music. I channel all that together. If you heard it, you might think the songs are old songs. Well, they are now.”
Mathus co-found the band in 1993 while living in North Carolina. He is the only founding member remaining.
Squirrel Nut Zippers will perform at 8 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. It’s the band’s first appearance at the venue.
“We do a lot of historical theaters,” Mathus said. “Our main venues are auditoriums or theaters or performing arts centers. We’re just basically a jazz band at heart, so we’re easy to mix (acoustically). We try to pick the venues that best suit the people that want to come and see us. They are not necessarily diehard jazz fans. Some of these people have been listening to us for 25 years and have children that have grown up listening to us. We like it a little lively and a little rowdy. A proper jazz band should have an element of danger, in my opinion.”
The name “nut zipper” is derived from a Prohibition-era drink of bootleg moonshine. The band came up with the name from a
newspaper headline of an intoxicated man climbing a tree. The music style has roots in the Back O’ Town neighborhood in New Orleans. Most of the band lives in New Orleans, but Mathus lives in Mississippi.
Mathus said they have done a few cover albums.
“But most of the songs we’re known for are our own compositions,” he said. “I think that’s what sets us apart. We have the musicianship and the skill of a proper nine-piece jazz band.”
Most of the songs contain vocals, Mathus said.
“We’re known for our lyrics and our kind of subversive humor and stuff like that,” he said. “We’ve always done a few instrumentals, but they are mostly vocal numbers.”
Mathus, who is often the emcee, said he shares the microphone with four other singers.
“We like to keep it moving,” he said. “There is so much talent on stage, I love to share the spotlight.”
Mathus said the band packs a lot into its 90-minute show, including all the fan favorites.
The band’s most recent album, “Lost Songs of Doc Souchon,” was released in 2020. The band has sold more than 3 million albums.
Mathus said the band isn’t working on a new album at this time.
“We’re just busy going around making concerts and letting the people have a good time,” Mathus said.
The band plays 40 to 50 shows a year.
“We don’t want to wear out the excitement,” he said. “When we do get together, it’s a little run once a month or every couple of months. I want it to be exciting. If we’re not excited, then I’m not doing my job. It keeps you fresh. I’m 58 years old now, so I can’t do it night after night. Plus, I don’t think that’s what this band needs.”
For more, visit thecenterpresents.org and snzippers.com.
EVENTS CALENDAR
CHOIR! CHOIR! CHOIR! WE WILL CHOIR YOU! AN EPIC QUEEN SING-ALONG
Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
SOMETHING ROTTEN
Oct. 3 - Oct. 18
At The Tarkington in Carmel, visit civictheatre.org for more.
RICK BRAUN & MINDI ABAIR
Oct. 4 at 8 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
PHIL WICKHAM- AIR1 WORSHIP
NOW TOUR
Oct. 9 at 7 p.m.
At the Fishers Event Center, visit fisherseventcenter.com for more.
IL DIVO BY CANDLELIGHT
Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
TOOTSIE
Oct. 16 - Nov. 23
At the Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre, visit beefandboards.com for more.
Squirrel Nut Zippers will perform at the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel. (Photo courtesy of Allied Solutions Center)
Daniel Wilke, left, and Jacob Schilling perform as brothers in Civic Theatre’s production of “Something Rotten.” (Photo courtesy of Joshua Hasty)
CHOIR! CHOIR! CHOIR! WE WILL CHOIR
YOU! AN EPIC QUEEN SING-ALONG
THU, OCT 2 AT 7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
RICK BRAUN & MINDI ABAIR
SAT, OCT 4 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
IL DIVO BY CANDLELIGHT
THU, OCT 9 AT 7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
AIDA CUEVAS:
50 YEARS SINGING TO MEXICO
FRI, OCT 10 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
MATTHEW MORRISON: RHYTHMS & REVELATIONS
FRI, OCT 17 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
AN EVENING WITH TOMMY EMMANUEL, CGP
SAT, OCT 18 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
VIENNA BOYS CHOIR
SUN, OCT 19 AT 7PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS: JAZZ FROM THE BACK O’ TOWN FRI, OCT 24 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
JESSE COOK: LIVE IN CONCERT
SUN, OCT 26 AT 7PM | THE TARKINGTON
BUGS BUNNY AT THE SYMPHONY
SAT, NOV 1 AT 8PM & SUN, NOV 2 AT 2PM PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
HEATHER LAND LIVE SAT, NOV 1 AT 8PM | THE TARKINGTON
LISA LOEB & JOAN OSBORNE FRI, NOV 7 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
TITO PUENTE JR. AND HIS LATIN JAZZ ENSEMBLE SAT, NOV 8 AT 8PM | THE TARKINGTON
THE VOICE OF WHITNEY: A SYMPHONIC CELEBRATION
SAT, NOV 8 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
BRANDON WOODY’S UPENDO SUN, NOV 9 AT 7PM | THE TARKINGTON
SAMARA JOY
FRI, NOV 14 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
PEABO BRYSON
FRI, NOV 21 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
WISH YOU WERE HERE: THE SIGHT AND SOUND OF PINK FLOYD
SAT, NOV 22 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
LES ARTS FLORISSANTS
VIVALDI’S FOUR SEASONS AT 300 SUN, NOV 23 AT 7PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH DAVID FOSTER & KATHARINE MCPHEE
TUE, DEC 2 AT 7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
SONGBOOK FOUNDATION HOLIDAY SCREENING THU, DEC 4 AT 7PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
JON MCLAUGHLIN & FRIENDS
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS FRI, DEC 5 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND CREOLE CHRISTMAS MON, DEC 8 AT 7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
SAMANTHA FISH, CEDRIC BURNSIDE, AND JON SPENCER: SHAKE ‘EM ON DOWN TOUR
WED, DEC 10 AT 7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
DAVE KOZ & FRIENDS FRI, DEC 12 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
SEASON SPONSOR
CHRIS ISAAK SAT, DEC 13 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
LET’S SING TAYLOR:
AN UNOFFICIAL LIVE TRIBUTE SHOW SAT JAN 17 AT 2PM & 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
NEKO CASE: NEON GREY MIDNIGHT GREEN TOUR THU, JAN 22 AT 7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
MAC MCANALLY
FRI JAN 23 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA WITH RAY CHEN
FRI, JAN 30 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
CECE TENEAL’S DIVAS OF SOUL SAT, JAN 31 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
WAYNE NEWTON: UP CLOSE & PERSONAL SAT, FEB 14 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
MARIACHI HERENCIA DE MÉXICO LA NUEVA GENERACIÓN TOUR FRI, FEB 20 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
GREAT AMERICAN CROONERS: A JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER PRESENTS PRODUCTION WED, FEB 25 AT 7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
PEKING ACROBATS
THU, FEB 26 AT 7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE SUN, MAR 1 AT 3PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
CHRIS BOTTI
FRI, MAR 6 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
JEROME COLLINS: REWIND A JOURNEY TO MOTOWN AND BEYOND SAT, MAR 7 AT 8PM | THE TARKINGTON
ORPHEUS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA & MARC-ANDRÉ HAMELIN SAT, MAR 7 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
GOITSE SUN, MAR 8 AT 7PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
JOSHUA HENRY: GET UP STAND UP FRI, MAR 13 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
GREGORIAN: PURE CHANTS WORLD TOUR FEATURING SONGS OF ENIGMA SAT, MAR 14 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
STEP AFRIKA! THE EVOLUTION TOUR SUN, MAR 15 AT 7PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
ONE NIGHT IN MEMPHIS: THE NUMBER ONE TRIBUTE TO PRESLEY, PERKINS, LEWIS AND CASH THU, MAR 19 AT 7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
BRANFORD MARSALIS QUARTET FRI, MAR 20 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
DIRECT FROM ROME: THE THREE ITALIAN TENORS SUN, MAR 29 AT 7PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
ILLUSIONIST RICK THOMAS SAT, APR 4 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
MANDY PATINKIN IN CONCERT: BEING ALIVE THU, APR 9 AT 7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
CHRIS THILE FRI, APR 10 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
AN EVENING WITH MICHAEL FEINSTEIN FRI, APR 17 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
JOSHUA BELL THU, APR 23 AT 7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
THE ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA EXPERIENCE SAT, MAY 2 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
AN EVENING WITH JAKE SHIMABUKURO FRI, MAY 8 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
PEABO BRYSON
SAMARA JOY JAKE SHIMABUKURO AIDA CUEVAS
BRANFORD MARSALIS
DAVID FOSTER & KATHARINE MCPHEE
HAMILTON COUNTY RISE FEST RETURNS
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
Hamilton County RISE Fest, a free music festival where 100 percent of proceeds and donations benefit selected Hamilton County nonprofits, returns to Spencer Farm Winery in Noblesville from noon to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 18.
This year’s event will feature nine bands on two stages:
• Noon: Kam ‘n Jett’s Jammin’ Duet
• 1 p.m.: The Founders
• 2 p.m.: Traci and Jimmy Friends Band
• 3 p.m.: Curt Cannabis & The Highflyers
• 4 p.m.: Broken Reins
• 5 p.m.: Days of My Youth
• 6 p.m.: Rhino Down
• 7:15 p.m.: Naptown Hepcats
• 8:30 p.m.: The Amanda McClaran Experience
Proceeds will benefit Chairs of Honor (Westfield); Children’s Theraplay (Carmel); The Cooper House (Noblesville); and Hamilton County Veterans Corp. (Fishers).
Hamilton County RISE Fest Executive Director Andy Binford said this is the fifth year of the event.
“Back in late 2020, during COVID, a lot
of local musicians and bands weren’t able to perform,” Binford said. “We wanted to do an event with lots of bands and stream it and take donations for Hamilton County nonprofits. It took a little bit to get the event organized, and by the time we got it put together it was May of 2021. Things were opening up. So, we picked September of 2021 to do the first event in person.”
Binford said the event continues to grow, with 1,000 people attending last year compared to 500 in the first year.
“Our goal is to be family friendly and dog friendly,” Binford said. “Even though it’s a winery, we promote that it’s for all ages. We have a food truck in addition to wine that the winery sells, and Bier Brewery will have beer. We don’t expect anybody to have to spend $1. They can just come out, bring a blanket and enjoy as much or as little music as they want.”
There also will be a silent auction, with items such as signed sports memorabilia.
“Our big item this year is a custom-made electric guitar that’s called a Stratocaster,” Binford said. “It’s going to be signed by American singer-songwriter John Mellencamp.”
For more, visit risefest.net.
Pedcor to support CSO concert
The Carmel Symphony Orchestra announced the support of Pedcor Companies for CSO’s Nordic Nights concert taking place at 7 p.m. March 21, 2026. at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. The symphony will be under the guidance of guest conductor Kelly Kuo. “We have been long-time supporters of the Carmel Symphony Orchestra because we value the cultural opportunities the CSO provides through its classical orchestral music concerts,” stated Bruce Cordingley, president and CEO of Pedcor Companies “The importance of exposure to inspiring masterworks for all ages cannot be understated. Pedcor Companies believe in supporting the arts to continue to make Carmel a place where people can thrive,”.
Attendees enjoy a previous RISE Fest. (Photo courtesy of RISE Fest )
IWS CONCERT OFFERS VARIETY
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Indiana Wind Symphony’s 2025-26 opening concert will include an early John Williams composition, a patriotic march and an appreciation of October weather.
“Our Beautiful World” is set at 4 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
The concert opens with Leslie Gilreath’s “Fanfare for a Bright New World.”
IWS Music Director Jay Gephart said the composition was written to honor Sue Samuels, Furman University’s director of bands. Gilreath is a high school band director in Summerville, S.C.
“It’s not like some of the traditional flute pieces you would hear. The audience will recognize the style of the composition and I think they will really appreciate Carl’s interpretation of the piece.”
That will be followed by John Philip Sousa’s patriotic march, “From Maine to Oregon,” and Eric Whitacre’s “October.”
“We’re so impressed by his writing that I reached out to Leslie and commissioned him to write a piece for the Indiana Band Masters Association in honor of its 75th anniversary in 2028,” Gephart said. “His writing is really very compelling and I think the audience will really love his piece a lot.”
The concert follows with film composer John Williams’ music from “The Sugarland Express,” his first of many collaborations with director Steven Spielberg. IWS principal flutist Carl Butler is the soloist on the piece.
“It’s a very sultry and sensual flute solo,” Gephart said.
“The piece is meant to depict the different kinds of experiences during the month of October, the leaves changing and falling, the cooler temperatures and the rushing of the wind,” Gephart said.
The final two pieces before intermission are Andrew David Perkins’ “Tuebor Suite” and Harry Alford’s “The World is Waiting for the Sunrise,” which features IWS principal euphonium player Todd McCready.
The second part of the performance features “Symphony No. 5, Elements” by Julie Giroux. The three-movement symphony includes the elements of sun, rain and wind.
The IWS’s chamber orchestra will perform an hourlong concert, “Serenade,” at 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Studio Theater at Allied Solutions Center.
Nicole Keller was recently hired as IWS’ executive director. She brings volunteer and professional administrative experience in nonprofits, arts and mission-driven organizations to the position.
International Violin Competition of Indianapolis
Rosamunde QuaRtet
Tuesday, October 21 | 7:30 PM
Indiana Landmarks Center
In this collaboration with Ensemble Music, the all-star members of the Rosamunde Quartet feature a recital of Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Pulitzer Prize winning composer George Walker.
dances & Romances!
Tuesday, January 27 | 7:30 PM
Indiana History Center
As the first Gold Medalist in IVCI history, Mihaela Martin holds a special place in the organization’s legacy. She joins pianist Chih-Yi Chen in a recital inspired by rhythmic folk traditions and passions.
2022 Gold medalist siRena HuanG
Thursday, February 19 | 7:30 PM
Indiana Landmarks Center
2022 Gold Medalist Sirena Huang and 2017 APA Winner Drew Petersen unite for a thrilling recital in this collaboration with the American Piano Awards.
EVENTS CALENDAR
AIDA CUEVAS: 50 YEARS SINGING TO MEXICO
Oct. 10 at 8 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
CROWDER, PASSION MUSIC, LOUIE GIGLIO, KARI JOBE
CARNES & CODY CARNES
Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.
At the Fishers Event Center, visit fisherseventcenter.com for more.
MATTHEW MORRISON: RHYTHMS & REVELATIONS
Oct. 17 at 8 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
AN EVENING WITH TOMMY EMMANUEL, CGP
Oct. 18 at 8 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS: JAZZ FROM THE BACK O’ TOWN
Oct. 24 at 8 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 30
25/26 Laureate SerieS
2018 lauReate sHannon lee
Tuesday, March 24 | 7:30 PM
Indiana History Center
In her highly anticipated Indianapolis recital debut, 2018 Laureate Shannon Lee pairs with acclaimed pianist/composer Arseniy Gusev in a captivating 20th-century program.
an eveninG witH tessa laRk, cHaRles YanG & PeteR duGan
Tuesday, April 14 | 7:30 PM | The Cabaret
Join 2014 Silver Medalist Tessa Lark, violinist Charles Yang (Time for Three) and pianist Peter Dugan (From The Top) at The Cabaret in an evening of classical, jazz and pop fusion. (Note: Reserve early - this concert will sell out!)
Butler
CENTER CELEBRATION GALA RAISES MORE THAN $700,000
editorial@youarecurrent.com
Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts raised more than $708,000 Sept. 20 to support its arts and educational programming – a new record for the nonprofit organization’s annual gala.
The Center Celebration 2025 presented by Ice Miller began with cocktails and a musical welcome from Artistic Director Michael Feinstein as nearly 400 guests were seated for dinner in the Payne & Mencias Palladium concert hall. The live auction featured nine prize packages including luxury getaways and sports experiences.
A video on activities at Allied Solutions Center highlighted students from the Prism Project, a performing arts day camp for youth with disabilities, as well as Carmel retirees Pat and Rafik Bishara, who attend performances frequently as part of a regimen to slow the progression of Pat’s Alzheimer’s disease. Asked to stand and be recognized at the event, the Bisharas were applauded by all in attendance.
Headliner Richard Marx’s set included audience sing-alongs of his 1980s hits.
Proceeds from the auction, table reservations, sponsorships and direct donations will support the Center’s arts and educational programming, which includes main stage performances by national and international artists, children’s concerts and camps, vocal and instrumental music classes, speaker presentations and reading clubs.
“I have attended every annual gala in the 15-year history of Allied Solutions Center, and it’s always inspiring to see the community come together to support our mission,” Presi-
dent/CEO Jeffrey C. McDermott stated. This year’s Gala Steering Committee was co-chaired by Carmel residents Michael and Caroline Garvey, in their second year, and David and Annette Greene, who will lead next year’s planning. Besides Ice Miller, sponsors included First Merchants Bank; Jet Access; JLBS Construction; Studio M Architecture and Planning; Shiel Sexton; Current Publishing; Jaguar Indianapolis/Land Rover Indianapolis/Tom Wood Volvo Cars; Will and Yasmin Stump; Open Gate Design & Travis at LM Homes; Anheuser-Busch; E&J Gallo Winery; St. Elmo Cocktails; and Oberer’s Flowers. The Center Celebration 2026 presented by Ice Miller is set for Sept. 19 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium. Table reservations are available at this year’s price levels through Oct. 22. More information is available at thecenter-
The Indianapolis Children’s Choir will be decked out in red for its annual fundraising gala from 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Ritz Charles in Carmel. This year’s ICC Gala will be aptly themed for its 40th anniversary, “A Touch of Red,” with a nod to the traditional ruby anniversary gift. “This is always one of our largest fundraisers of the year,” stated Joshua Pedde, the ICC’s executive artistic director. “This gala will be extra special as we look back at the past 40 years and raise funds to continue our music education legacy for many more years to come.” Guests can expect a silent auction of crafted baskets from choir members and local business merchandise, photo ops, a whiskey pull, live entertainment, themed food items and a signature cocktail and mocktails, the Scarlet Serenade and Rhapsody in Rouge. ICC singers will tell their personal stories to guests and also present a live performance. The fundraising goal is $70,000, and funds raised will go directly toward the ICC’s programs and outreach. The ICC serves about 2,000 children from ages 18 months to 18 years through multiple choirs and programs throughout central Indiana. Tickets are on sale now. Individual tickets are $125. Tables of eight are also available for $1,000. The deadline to purchase a ticket or a table is Oct.10. For more, visit icchoir.org/gala.
Richard Marx was the headliner for Center Celebration in the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. (Photo by Sara C Imagery)
Indianapolis Children’s Choir Gala Set
EVENTS CALENDAR
VIENNA BOYS CHOIR
Oct. 19 at 7 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
ROSAMUNDE QUARTET
Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m.
At The Indiana Landmarks Center, visit violin. org for more.
A MODERN GOTHIC VAMPIRE BALLET
Oct. 24-25
At The Tarkington, visit gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org for more.
JESSE COOK: LIVE IN CONCERT
Oct. 26 at 7 p.m.
At The Tarkington in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
BUGS BUNNY AT THE SYMPHONY
Nov. 1 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 2 at 2 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
HEATHER LAND LIVE
Nov. 1 at 8 p.m.
At The Tarkington in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
SEAN CHEN & ESCHER STRING QUARTET
Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m.
At the Indiana Landmarks Center, visit pianoawards.org for more.
LISA LOEB & JOAN OSBORNE
Nov. 7 at 8 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
TITO PUENTE JR. AND HIS LATIN JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Nov. 8 at 8 p.m.
At The Tarkington in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
THE VOICE OF WHITNEY: A SYMPHONIC CELEBRATION
Nov. 8 at 8 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
WITH HEARTS OF GRATITUDE
Nov. 9 at 4 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium, visit indianawindsymphony.org for more
BRANDON WOODY’S UPENDO
Nov. 9 at 7 p.m.
At The Tarkington in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
SAMARA JOY
Nov. 14 at 8 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
JOHN LEGEND: GET LIFTED - 20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR
Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m.
At the Fishers Event Center, visit fisherseventcenter.com for more.
PEABO BRYSON
Nov. 21 at 8 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
WISH YOU WERE HERE: THE SIGHT AND SOUND OF PINK FLOYD
Nov. 22 at 8 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
LES ARTS FLORISSANTS VIVALDI’S FOUR SEASONS AT 300
Nov. 23 at 7 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
A BEEF & BOARDS CHRISTMAS 2025
Nov. 28 - Dec. 31
At the Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre, visit beefandboards.com for more.
AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH DAVID FOSTER & KATHARINE MCPHEE
Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
GREGORY HANCOCK DANCE THEATRE WINTERFEST
Dec. 4 - Dec. 14
At The Florence in Carmel, visit gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org for more.
SONGBOOK FOUNDATION HOLIDAY SCREENING
Dec. 4 at 7 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.com for more.
AMY GRANT, CECE WINANS, & MICHAEL W SMITH: CHRISTMAS TOGETHER
Dec. 4 at 7 p.m.
At the Fishers Event Center, visit fisherseventcenter.com for more.
FOR AN EXTENDED VERSION OF THIS CALENDAR, VISIT YOUARECURRENT.COM
ROUNDABOUT IMPROV SHOWS SET
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Zach Kreinbrink has enjoyed improv comedy since he was a teenager living near Chicago in the mid-1990s.
“But I had severe stage fright and didn’t take my first improv class until 2015 when I was living in San Diego,” he said. “I was hooked immediately. In the ensuing five years, I went through training programs at Finest City Improv in San Diego and UCB Theatre in Los Angeles, while also performing multiple times per week on various teams. I started teaching and coaching soon thereafter and have never looked back.”
viduals and companies interested in improving their confidence and collaborative skills.
“We’ve also hosted several one-off shows featuring local improvisers since then, but Almost Fest feels like a true grand opening,” he said. “It’s less a performance team and more of an initiative I started to share the joy and benefits of improv with Hamilton County (residents) and beyond. Almost Fest is designed to bring the many talented improvisers scattered across central Indiana together to perform with each other in formats and shows they may not get a chance to do on a regular basis.”
Kreinbrink said there are improv shows all over the Indianapolis area, but nothing consistently held in Hamilton County.
A Carmel resident since 2020, Kreinbrink, 42, started a group called Roundabout Improv in January 2023. The organization will present Almost Fest at 7 p.m. Oct. 3-4 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel.
Kreinbrink, a data analyst for a spinal surgical company, said he started Roundabout Improv primarily to offer workshops for indi-
“It’s rare everyone gets together on the same stage over the course of the same weekend,” he said. “It’s a chance for them to get together to collaborate.”
Kreinbrink said more than two dozen experienced improvisers from central Indiana will be on stage during Almost Fest. For more, visit thecat.biz.
Kreinbrink
BLUES TRAVELER, GIN BLOSSOMS EVENT SUPPORTS HSE SCHOOLS
editorial@youarecurrent.com
Two hitmakers from the 1990s are teaming up for a night of hits when Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms perform live Feb. 20, 2026, at the Fishers Event Center in Fishers for the second of a Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation Legacy Celebration. A portion of proceeds will benefit the staff and students at Hamilton Southeastern Schools.
More than 35 years ago, the four original members of Blues Traveler — John Popper, Chandler Kinchla, Brendan Hill,and the late Bobby Sheehan — gathered in their drummer’s parent’s basement in Princeton, N.J., to jam. From those high school sessions emerged a band that would go on to release 14 studio albums, four of which have gone gold, three platinum and one six-times platinum. The band has sold more than 10 million units worldwide.
Blues Traveler has played more than 2,000 live shows in front of more than 30 million people and, in “Run-Around,” had the longest-charting radio single in Billboard history, which earned it a Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
The band’s movie credits include “Blues Brothers 2000,” “Kingpin” and “Wildflowers,” among others. The has been featured on “Saturday Night Live,” “Austin City Limits” and VH1’s “Behind the Music,” and have the record for the most appearances of any artist on “The Late Show with David Letterman.”
Gin Blossoms are an American alternative rock band formed in 1987 in Tempe, Ariz. The band rose to prominence following the 1992 release of its first major-label album, “New Miserable Experience,” and the first single released from that album, “Hey Jealousy,” became a Top 25 hit and went gold.
“New Miserable Experience” eventually went quadruple platinum, and three other charting singles were released from the album, including “Allison Road” and “Until I Fall Away.” The band’s follow-up album, “Congratulations I’m Sorry” (1996), went platinum and included the Grammy-nominated “As Long as It Matters” and the top 10 single “Follow You Down.”
Tickets are on sale at fisherseventcenter.com.
READERS’ VIEWS A suggestion for Carmel teachers
Editor,
For background, I have been a college professor, a researcher in government, and a consultant. Your Sept. 16 article, “Not Great Expectations?”, discusses the concern of teachers in Carmel Clay Schools with the “no zeros” grading policy. The teachers who graded the policy badly are correct.
Rather than getting into the arguments, my experience informs a simple suggestion, pop quizzes in freshmen and sophomore years. They promote keeping up with the work and give the students a read on comprehension as the class
progresses. I used to give five to eight 10-minute quizzes per semester and throw out the lowest one, thereby giving a bit of relief from a “bad day.” A mid-erm and a final also were given. Grading quizzes takes a nominal amount of time and gave me some understanding of how effective the book and I were.
Habits formed in the first two years of the new educational experience of high school or even college go a long way to promoting student’s academic understanding and success.
Konrad Banaszak, Carmel
Clear the view at roundabouts
Editor,
Carmel’s roundabouts move traffic efficiently, but many are ringed with tall grasses, shrubs, and rose beds that block sightlines. Drivers often creep forward, stop, and hesitate because they cannot see into the circle or across crosswalks. Hidden views also create real danger for pedestrians and cyclists who suddenly appear from behind vegetation.
The fix is simple: Clear the view. Use grass in the medians leading into roundabouts and keep the strip between the street and sidewalk open so walkers and bikers are always visible. Near entries, exits and crosswalks, trim vegetation low enough for a seated driver to see clearly. Reserve taller landscaping for the center islands, where it adds beauty without
hiding people or cars.
Carmel prides itself on attractive streetscapes, but safety should come first. A few hours with pruners will do more for traffic flow and protection than costly redesigns. The city can keep roundabouts beautiful and make them safer by setting clear visibility standards, publishing a maintenance schedule and responding quickly when growth blocks views. Roundabouts only work when we can see each other. Let’s choose safety over showy plants where it matters most. Share your experiences with the city and ask for clear sightlines at every roundabout. A small change can prevent close calls, shorten delays and make daily travel safer for everyone.
Brandon Wenger, Carmel
School signs run risk of ‘crying wolf’
Editor,
I am looking forward to the new school zone signs that were recently approved by the Carmel City Council. I see them as helpful in keeping our children and personnel safe in those potentially congested school zones. I’m also glad to hear that those signs and speed limits will be in effect any time the lights are operating. The problem is that we operate those lights throughout school days and that invites complacency and inattention.
In the middle of the day when our children and staff are safely sequestered in their schools, it’s obvious to anyone driving by that there is no real need for
these warnings at that time of day and that encourages drivers to ignore the signs and continue at normal speed. It’s as if the signs “cry wolf” with every flash.
I strongly recommend that the school board and city council consider limiting the warning sign operation to those hours that are likely to have any sort of congestion around the schools and back that up with frequent police and school resource officer presence in all school zones. Shutting off the warning signs in the middle of the day will help reinforce that when those signs are ON, there is a real reason!
Martin Brungard, Carmel
VIEWS
Editor,
READERS’ VIEWS
The United States Postal Service proudly provides mail delivery for local businesses and residents. As a 250-year-old self-funded institution, we remain committed to this mission.
Unfortunately, proposed legislation in Congress — H.R. 672 and H.R. 3095 — threatens to disrupt local mail service by unilaterally redrawing and redefining ZIP Codes in many local communities. If enacted, these changes would significantly degrade
NOTICE OF SALE
City of Carmel, Indiana
Department: Board of Public Works and Safety, One Civic Square, City of Carmel, IN 46032
Sale: Freightliner Hackney Fire Truck “AS-IS” Notice is hereby given that the City of Carmel, Hamilton County, Indiana, is selling the following Freightliner Hackney Fire Truck “AS-IS”: VIN: 1FV6HLCA7TL794298
MAKE: Freightliner
MODEL: Hackney
YEAR: 1996
The sale will be via online public auction held on www.GovDeals.com. The deadline to submit a bid is Monday, October 27, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. The Freightliner Hackney Fire Truck is sold “AS-IS” and subject to the terms of GovDeals.com. Jacob Quinn, City Clerk
The Postal Service created ZIP codes to support and enable delivery operations. ZIP Codes are generally based on the physical facility where local letter carriers deliver from.
Legislated ZIP Code changes often overlook how ZIP Codes function and operational consequences. Instead, they focus on secondary considerations — tax collection, insurance rates, or community identity.
Changing ZIP codes by Congressional decree will force inefficient and costly operational changes — rerouting mail to different facilities; substantial changes to truck and carrier routes — at a time when we are working to improve our financial and service performance.
The Postal Service already works with local communities to resolve similar requests by allowing customers to use their preferred city name in combination with their existing ZIP Code. This ensures that third-party use of ZIP codes does not disrupt mail service, while resolving nearly all of the requests of local communities.
Providing consistent, reliable mail delivery will be more difficult if lawmakers dictate ZIP codes without consideration for the implications on Postal operations and our customers. We stand ready to work with Congress to make it easier — not harder — to deliver the nation’s mail.
Le Gretta Goodwin, acting Indiana district manager, United States Postal Service
Editor’s note: Carmel, Westfield, Noblesville and Zionsville are communities that could be affected by the ZIP code legislation.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE CITY OF CARMEL PLAN COMMISSION
Docket Number PZ-2025-00184 PUD
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Carmel Plan Commission will conduct a meeting on the 23rd day of October, 2025 at 6:00 o’clock p.m., at the Carmel City Hall, Council Chambers, One Civic Square, 2nd Floor, Carmel, IN 46032, to hold a Public Hearing regarding an application identified by Docket Number PZ-2025-00184 PUD (the “Request”). The subject site consists of approximately 4.4 acres, is identified by the Hamilton County Auditor’s Office as Parcel Identification Number 17-13-02-0000-024.000 and is located east of and adjacent to Illinois Street and north of 106th Street (collectively, the “Real Estate”).
The Real Estate is zoned MC – Meridian Corridor and is an “in-fill” site that is surrounded to the north, south and east (across US 31/Meridian Street) by existing commercial buildings. The applicant, Pulte Homes of Indiana, LLC (“Pulte”), is seeking to rezone the Real Estate to the “Illinois Street Townhomes Planned Unit Development Ordinance” (the “Illinois Street Townhomes PUD”) in order to develop a forsale townhome community consisting of approximately thirty-one (31) townhomes.
The Request and the associated plans and exhibits may be examined on the City’s website, through Public Documents – Laser Fische.
All interested persons desiring to present their views on the above Request are encouraged to submit written comments to bbutler@carmel.in.gov, up to 4:00 p.m. the day of the meeting, via email to Bric Butler Administrative Assistant City of Carmel Plan Commission, and/or, present their comments in-person by attending at this Plan Commission meeting. The Public Hearing may be continued from time to time as may be found necessary.
City of Carmel, Indiana:
Bric Butler, City of Carmel Plan Commission Administrative Assistant Carmel City Hall
One Civic Square
Carmel, IN 46032
Phone: (317) 571-2416
Email: bbutler@carmel.in.gov
Attorney for Applicant Pulte Homes of Indiana, LLC: Jim Shinaver, Attorney
Jon Dobosiewicz, Professional Land Planner
Nelson & Frankenberger, LLC
11350 N. Meridian Street, Suite 320
Carmel, IN 46032
Current Publishing will consider verifiable letters of up to 300 words sent in a Microsoft Word document or in the body of an email. Letters may not be of a campaigning or advertising nature. Letters should be exclusive to Current Publishing. Unsigned letters and letters deemed to be of a libelous nature will not be published. Letter writers will be given once-monthly consideration for publication of submissions. Current Publishing reserves the right to end published audience debate on any topic. Current Publishing reserves the right to edit and shorten for space, grammar, style and spelling, and Current may refuse letters. Send submissions to letters@youarecurrent.com; letters sent to any other email address will not be reviewed. Letters must include the writer’s full name, hometown and daytime telephone number for verification purposes only.
Baton Rouge sch.
Roam 7. Kings on a Pacers scoreboard 10. Butler frat letter
13. Alley-___ 14. IND gate info
15. Numerical prefix 16. Knee injury inits.
17. Like dirty floors
19. Kind of spray
21. IMPD rap sheet letters
22. Dollars, informally
23. Hit the road, a la Mellencamp 26. Lasso
28. Maine-to-Florida rte.
36. Mark Battles’ music genre
38. “The Iceman Cometh” playwright
40. Part of BMV
43. Plastic ___ Band
44. Sam’s Ale House, e.g.
45. Small island
47. Bioengineered food source, for short
50. Reside
52. Albuquerque sch.
53. Congregation Beth Shalom leader
55. Mi Hacienda Mexican Restaurant sauce
57. Pesky insect
58. Magnified
60. Upland Brewing tank
62. Knickknack holder
63. Kneecap
67. Kind of wit
68. Indy 500 entrant
69. USN rank
70. ___ de cologne
71. Language suffix
72. Recipe amt.
73. Earl Grey, for one
74. Best Friends Pet Hotel occupant Down
1. Singer Reed or Rawls
2. David, to Mel Simon
3. FedEx rival
4. Computer whiz
5. How some bonds are sold
6. Banned insecticide
7. Pollen holder
8. Region
9. ROUNDABOUT
10. Bygone Ed Martin Toyota models
11. Shows disdain
12. “Maybe”
18. Tug of ___
20. Approves, briefly
Nimble
Bar bill
Norse capital
25. “Once ___ a time...”
27. October birthstone
31. Trounce
34. Dave Ricks’ title at Lilly
35. Play a horn
37. IU Art Museum designer: IM ___
39. ROUNDABOUT
40. Pacer foe
41. Athletic conference for EKU and UNF
42. Arm bone
44. Trudge
46. CPR pro
47. County that includes Jasonville, Linton and Bloomfield
48. “Praying” insect
49. Squished at the poles
51. Mideast bigwigs (Var.)
54. Groceries holder
56. Steer clear of
57. Old AT&T competitor
59. Snatch
61. Gillette razor
Tons of homes participate. Make sure you get to all four neighborhoods! Designer clothing, furniture, housewares, kids stuff, and incredible deals! This sale is too good to miss! Waterstone is east of Gray Road between 116th and 126th. Entrances to neighborhood are at 116th, 126th, and Gray Road Includes: Bayhill, Brookfield, Stonewick, and Windpointe October 2nd 3rd &
& to
visit: https:// optionsschools.org/jobs/. Waterstone Neighborhood Wide Garage Sale
position
*** Attention Personal Trainers ***
Join our exciting and supportive team serving older adults in a non-franchise, local fitness facility. We are looking for an experienced, part-time trainer with the possibility of moving to full-time. Clients are provided, so there is NO SELLING. BA/BS 4-year or greater degree in exercise related field required. If you have a passion for changing the lives of older adults, you will want to be part of our welcoming environment. Send resume and cover letter to info@motion4lifefitness.com
THE PERFECT WINTER RETREAT
4 bedroom, 4 bath condo overlooking breathtaking views of the gulf in Navarre Beach, Florida. Our condo is fully stocked and has multiple balconies to relax upon. Each bedroom is equipped with an ensuite bathroom and internet TV. Special snowbird pricing available. Please contact beachlifenowfl@gmail.com or 850-293-4588 for more details!
Current Publishing is seeking talented freelance reporters and photographers to join our team. We’re looking for passionate storytellers who can write compelling articles and capture highquality images that bring our local news to life.
FREELANCE REPORTERS
Research, interview and write engaging articles on a variety of local topics.
Requirements: Experience in journalism, a portfolio of published work, excellent writing and communication skills and a strong grasp of journalistic ethics.
FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHERS
Capture impactful photos for news, features, portraits and events.
Requirements: Proven experience, a strong portfolio, proficiency with camera equipment and the ability to meet tight deadlines.
HOW TO APPLY: Send your resume, a brief cover letter, and a link to your portfolio or writing samples to zach@youarecurrent.com. No phone calls, please. EOE.
includes installation & warranty
MAKE THESE HORSERADISH ROAST BEEF SLIDERS TO UPGRADE YOUR NEXT TAILGATE OR WATCH PARTY
