Fishers Arts Council is gearing up for a spectacular end to the year with the final Second Friday event of 2023, promising an evening filled with creativity, talent, and vibrant artworks from new faces at the FAC Hub Gallery.

Scheduled for December 8, from 6 to 8 pm, the free, all-ages celebration will mark the debut of ten local artists, including two budding talents, showcasing their diverse works encompassing acrylic, mixed media, digital art, colored pencil, and more at the FAC Hub Gallery located at 11810 Technology Drive within the Collaboration Hub at Hamilton County Community Foundation.

“We love helping artists showcase their work for the first time and introducing artists to the Fishers community who have not shown with us before,” said Les Reinhardt, Executive Director of Fishers Arts Council. “This exhibit is always a great mix of skill levels with every individual sharing their best work.”

Among the featured artists are Susan Cook, Ciera (CiCi) Eadler, Sam Irish*, Beth Miller, Travis Park, Karissa Rumsey, Lisa Bliss Rush, Preeya Sikand*, and Cristal Williams, representing various cities including Camden, Carmel, Fishers, Indianapolis, McCordsville, and Noblesville.

The exhibition, open from December 4 to 29, will offer art enthusiasts an opportunity to immerse themselves in a diverse array of artistic expressions. Artworks, available for purchase at varying price points, will grab visitors’ attention and perhaps find a place in their homes or offices.

The celebratory Second Friday event on December 8 promises an engaging atmosphere filled with live music by Eric Salazar, known as “The Clarinet Guy.” Attendees can relish snacks, drinks, and a cash bar featuring Sun King beer and Daniel’s Vineyard wines. Additionally, Tracy Gordon of Noblesville, the featured artisan, will showcase her unique handmade gemstone jewelry under her business “Gem Geek.”

To further enrich the evening, FAC board member Pat Grabill will conduct interviews with several of the exhibiting artists at 6:45 pm, offering insights into their inspirations and creative processes.

Moreover, the FAC board is inviting art enthusiasts and community members to join them by accepting applications for new members. Interested individuals can access the applications on the FAC website, during the Second Friday reception, or via email at info@fishersartscouncil.org. The deadline for applications is January 4, offering an opportunity to contribute to Fishers’ vibrant art scene.

The gallery’s regular hours are from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Thursday, with Friday visits available by appointment by contacting Fishers Arts Council directly. Please note that the gallery will close at 12 pm on December 22 and remain closed on December 25.

This celebratory event not only serves as a platform for new talents but also invites the community to immerse itself in the world of art while supporting local artists. Don’t miss the chance to discover fresh talent and embrace creativity at the last Second Friday event of 2023.

For more information, check out the Arts Council Web site at this link. – or, e-mail the Arts Council at this address – info@fishersartscouncil.org.

The Fishers Police Department (FPD) had a busy Friday.  Officers successfully apprehended a  suspect and thwarted a stolen vehicle incident in a joint effort with neighboring law enforcement agencies.

Friday’s arrest of James Baker, a Fishers resident, marked the culmination of efforts by the FPD’s intelligence unit and patrol division. Baker, a wanted individual with a string of outstanding warrants across multiple counties, was taken into custody on charges of Resisting Law Enforcement and providing a false name after attempting to evade officers.

Baker had been on police radar for some time, and when an FPD officer spotted him while on patrol, Baker attempted to flee but was promptly apprehended.

The laundry list of charges against Baker included multiple offenses across Marion, Hamilton, and Boone counties, ranging from Theft/Fraud and Criminal Mischief to Unauthorized Entry of Motor Vehicles. His extensive warrant portfolio had made him a priority for law enforcement agencies in the area.

However, the day’s events didn’t conclude with Baker’s arrest. Later that same day, FPD officers responded to a report of a stolen commercial vehicle. Swift action by law enforcement officers led to the owner’s quick cooperation, providing access to the vehicle’s GPS locator.

Utilizing real-time tracking via the provided login information, officers determined the stolen vehicle had traversed into another county. Coordinating with authorities in Madison and Grant Counties, the stolen vehicle was intercepted. Adrian Hall, from Fort Wayne, was detained by officers from collaborating agencies as the vehicle was brought to a halt.

Subsequently, Fishers Police took Hall into custody and transported him to the Hamilton County Jail on charges of Auto Theft.

Both Baker and Hall are currently in custody.

The weekly Fishers road construction report contains nothing new as we enter the winter season, but does provide a reminder of where ongoing projects are at this time.

Here is the rundown, as provided by the City of Fishers, for the work week coming up.

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Continue reading Fishers road construction update →

Officers of the Fishers Police Department are working with their civilian support volunteers, the Police Corps, to brighten up the Christmas season for six Fishers families.  Also, on Saturday, December 2nd, you can view the decorations on the first floor of police headquarters.

I recorded 2 videos for more information on this.  Above is my conversation with Angela Ellison, Public Information Officer for the Fishers Police Department.  Below, I speak with Art Hennig, long-time volunteer active in the Police Corps.

The Fishers Events Center is now under construction and is set to host the Indy Fuel hockey team and the Indoor Football League team to also call the Fishers building home.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness and Indy Fuel President Larry McQueary join the podcast to talk about what to expect about one year from now when the Events Center opens its doors,

Skyler Braun may be a young man but he already has a very busy life.  A graduate of Hamilton Southeastern High School, Skyler had dabbled in a number of enterprises and spent 4 years serving in the armed forces.

Skyler has returned to his hometown and started an e-mail newsletter, Fishers Digest, which started 6 months ago.

The newsletter is free and you can sign up at this link.

Skyler sat down with Larry to talk about his newsletter and much more in this podcast.

At least 10 Fishers neighborhoods are in line to have sidewalk improvements installed in 2024 now that the city has accepted a bid of just over $485,000 from Howard Companies.  The funds will come from cash reserves and are part of the 2024 city budget.

Removal and replacement repair work of existing sidewalks are scheduled in sections of the following subdivisions:

Windermere

Sunblest

Pleasantview

Britton Ridge

Sweet Briar

Sweet Briar North

Ridgefield

Brooks Chase

Tanglewood

and

Saxony

Mayor Scott Fadness says the bid came in under the engineers’ estimate, allowing change orders and raising the possibility of 2 more neighborhoods receiving sidewalk upgrades.  2,160 sidewalk panels will be removed under this plan.

Fadness described this sidewalk improvement plan as “a quantum leap forward for us in terms of being able to knock out these sidewalk concerns.”

The Board of Public Works and Safety unanimously approved the bid award.

Giving Tuesday is now a tradition in the United States.  The Tuesday after Thanksgiving is now a day to think about your favorite charities and provide financial support.

There are so many worthy nonprofit groups in Fishers, I will not even try to suggest where you may want to contribute today.  I would only say this – find an organization doing good work in the local community and do what you can to support that tax-exempt group on this Giving Tuesday.

I realize this blog is centered on Fishers, but the new Costco store in Noblesville is just a few blocks from the Fishers city line.  I suspect lots of Fishers people will be shopping there.

I have been a regular at the Castleton Costco, which had been the nearest Costco until Noblesville opened.  I decided to wait a few days, let the Thanksgiving holiday run its course before visiting the newest area Costco.

This is likely true of all warehouse retail operations, but this place is big….very big.  It is also organized much differently compared to the Castleton operation, so it will take some time before I know where to find my regular items.

I went early Monday morning, so the crowds were down, making it easier to get around without playing bumper-carts with the other shoppers.

There has been much anticipation as this Costco was under construction, but the crews were able to get the building completed and ready for the public just before the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons.

I do often shop locally but there are some things only Costco can offer.  Let’s see how the public reacts to the Noblesville version.