Planning and Zoning are key component of any city administration.  In Fishers, Ross Hilleary is the Director, and Keven Martin is the Assistant Director, of that department in Fishers.  They both sat down with Larry for a Podcast discussion.

The Fishers Century Club celebrated its December meeting on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at Knowledge Services/Club Coworking, selecting the Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation (HSEF) as the recipient of this quarter’s pooled charitable funds. The philanthropic group, known for supporting local nonprofits through collective giving, heard presentations from three organizations before awarding the funds to HSEF.

HSEF, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the Hamilton Southeastern School District, enriches student experiences through funding innovative educational projects and addressing pressing community needs. Last year, the organization notably paid off thousands of dollars in student lunch debt for families on free and reduced lunch, ensuring essential meals for all students.

“We had the privilege of hearing from three outstanding charities, and our members selected the Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation as this quarter’s recipient,” said Adam Kallick, Founder of the Fishers Century Club. “HSEF’s impact on our schools and community is remarkable, and I’m proud of our club members for making this support possible.”

The event marked continued growth for the Fishers Century Club, with several new attendees joining the philanthropic effort. Members contribute $100 quarterly to create a collective impact for the selected charity.

Justin Hirnisey, Executive Director of HSEF, expressed gratitude for the support. “It was an honor to present at Tuesday’s meeting,” said Hirnisey. “The generosity of the Fishers Century Club will allow HSEF to further invest in our schools, students, and community in meaningful ways.”

The Fishers Century Club invites residents to attend its next meeting, scheduled for March 2025, and encourages the nomination of local 501(c)(3) charities. Those unable to attend but wishing to contribute to HSEF’s crowd-giving campaign can do so through the club’s online Grapevine platform at FCC’s Grapevine site.

For more information about HSEF, visit www.hsefoundation.org. To learn more about the Fishers Century Club and past recipients, visit www.fisherscenturyclub.com.

In 2025, the Fishers Arts Council marks two decades of fostering art and culture with a year packed full of exhibitions, events, and community activities. Founded in 2005 by the Fishers Town Council, the organization has grown into a cultural cornerstone, offering beloved programming like the monthly “Second Friday” gallery receptions.

“‘Second Friday’ has become synonymous with our gallery receptions,” said Ross Hilleary, Fishers Arts Council President. “We’re thrilled to expand with gallery hops and partnerships with the city. It’s a perfect night out for art lovers or anyone looking for a fun community experience.”

The reopening of Fishers City Hall brings the arts council’s gallery “back home” while maintaining the FAC Hub Gallery at the Hamilton County Community Foundation. “Running two gallery spaces allows us to support more artists and reach more community members,” said Les Reinhardt, Executive Director.

Upcoming Exhibits and Events

The Art Gallery at City Hall will host 12 monthly exhibits, featuring artists and themes such as:

• January: Free Associations – The Art of Jerry Mannell
• February: The Golden Age – Artists 50 & Better
• March: Disability Awareness Month
• June: The Calligraphy Guild of Indiana Member Show

Meanwhile, the FAC Hub Gallery will present quarterly exhibits like My Art is My Movement – The Art of Johnson Simon and Hispanic Heritage Celebration.

Artists and musicians can apply to participate in exhibits, Second Friday events, and the new “Gallery Hop” series, launching February 14. The Gallery Hop invites the public to explore multiple venues, enjoy performances, and even earn a free dessert at Four Day Ray by completing the hop.

Other signature events include the Car & Art Show in June, Harvest Fest in September, and Winter Art Markets at Sun King.

Details for artist and musician applications will be available on December 23 at fishersartscouncil.org.

Building on Two Decades of Impact

With expanded partnerships and innovative programming, the Fishers Arts Council continues to enrich the community through visual, musical, and cultural arts. Residents are invited to celebrate this milestone year and make 2025 a year of artistic exploration and connection.

After a long construction period and local speculation over whether this location would ever open,  Fishers foodies may now rejoice! Cafe Patachou, the beloved Indianapolis-based eatery known for its fresh and innovative brunch offerings, is set to open its newest location in Fishers on Tuesday, December 17, at 7 a.m.

Located at 8654 E 116th St., the Nickel Plate location will bring the signature charm and flavors of Cafe Patachou to a prime spot overlooking the scenic Nickel Plate Trail. The café will be open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends.

The space is designed with both style and comfort in mind. Guests will enjoy the cozy ambiance of a four-sided upholstered banquette at the heart of the dining room, as well as the signature countertop seating Patachou fans know and love. A private dining room offers a space for more intimate gatherings, while two outdoor patios provide al fresco dining options, with the west patio offering picturesque views of the trail.

The interior design pays homage to Cafe Patachou’s Stutz and Zionsville locations, featuring a serene palette of green-blue hues and a whimsical floral wall covering.

Founded by Martha Hoover, this marks the eighth Cafe Patachou location, further cementing the brand’s reputation.

So mark your calendars and stop by for a sneak peek or to enjoy the full reveal on opening day.

As the festive season fills homes with joy and togetherness, the Humane Society for Hamilton County (HSHC) is making a heartfelt plea for its 12 most deserving pets, still waiting for a family to call their own.

“These sweet souls haven’t been overlooked because of who they are,” said Lily Darling, HSHC’s Community Engagement Manager. “They’ve been overlooked because the right person hasn’t come along yet. This holiday season, we ask the community to open their hearts and homes to these 12 amazing pets. They’re not just waiting—they’re hoping for a miracle, and they need you now more than ever.”

To help these animals find their forever homes, HSHC has waived adoption fees for its “Featured 12” as part of its Home for the Holidays Adoption Special. As an added bonus, each adoption includes gifts tailored to support pet owners:

• Dogs come with a free training package from Paws & Play Dog Resort & Training Center.
• Cats enjoy five complimentary nights of boarding at PetSuites Fishers.

All adopted pets are spayed or neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, and come with a starter bag of food and a free wellness exam at a participating veterinary clinic.

Darling emphasized the urgency of the campaign: “The shelter should never be where these animals spend the holidays. They deserve to wake up in a home, safe, loved, and surrounded by people who will cherish them for the rest of their lives. This is not just a plea for adoption—it’s a lifeline.”

To adopt, prospective pet parents should bring:

• A completed application (available at hshcadoptions.com).
• All household members.
• Dogs for meet-and-greets (if applicable).
• Proof of their landlord’s pet policy, if renting.
• A government-issued ID.

As the holiday season brings hope and warmth, HSHC urges the community to make room for one more member at the table—and in their hearts.

HSE Schools presented Sarah Donsbach with a Crystal Wednesday night in honor of her 4 years of service as a board member.  She chose not to seek another term.

“The last 4 years have been an honor to represent our community, and our staff, and, most importantly, our students,” said Donsbach.  “It has definitely been a labor of love.”

She expressed the joy of dealing with so many people that she would not likely have known had she not served as a board member.  Donsbach thanked the HSE teaching staff, “who show up every single day for our kids.”

“We appreciate your time and efforts,” said HSE Superintendent Patrick Mapes.

With the new high school diploma system unanimously approved by the Indiana State Board of Education Wednesday morning, the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board voted for changes in high school courses for students preparing to enter grade 10 in August of 2025.

Administrator Jason Urban detailed those academic course changes in a presentation to the board.  You can review his presentation at this link.

Urban then went into greater detail about the state’s changes in high school graduation diplomas.  He spent time explaining the “network model,” which is recommended to contain 8 different “networks” for students to pursue in their high school studies.

Urban plans to provide a more detailed look at all this in a planned board work session in January.   He did not ask for a board vote on this issue Wednesday night, but you can read more about the diploma changes at this link.

Now that the contract with the local teachers’ association is ratified, the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board took action allowing pay increases for staff members other than teachers, or noncertified employees.

The support staff will receive a 3% pay increase for 2015, not to exceed $1,400.  HSE Chief Financial Officer time Brown told the board some workers may receive a larger pay raise if additional duties have been added.

The $1,400 pay raise includes administrators, but not Superintendent Patrick Mapes or what Brown described as Mapes’ “core cabinet.”  The cost of support staff raises for 2025 totals $850,000.

There were three speakers during the public comment section of the meeting.

–The first said he represents a group promoting government transparency and criticized the HSE response to public information requests.

–A lady read a statement from a resident unable to attend the meeting asking that the board not “devalue” instructional assistants.

–The final speaker took the board to task for not extending contracts for school building administrators, saying many may be on the lookout for other positions with only 6 months left on their contracts.

If you are not a weather geek, you may wonder – what is  snow squall?  The meteorologists says it s a brief but heavy snowfall, under an hour in duration, that can wreak havoc on roadways if timed during a rush hour.

The National Weather Service issued a Special Weather Statement early Wednesday saying such squalls are locally possible 2-8 pm Wednesday, right in the middle of evening rush hour traffic.

Hamilton County Emergency Management advises motorists to take it slow with snow squalls possible this afternoon and evening.

Here is part of the statement from NWS forecasters:

Snowfall rates will be locally heavy at times producing
drastically reduced visibilities and brief whiteout conditions as
winds gust to around 40 mph. As temperatures fall late today into
the evening...flash freezing of surfaces will also be possible.

Conditions can deteriorate rapidly within heavy snow showers with
little warning. Traveling will likely be hazardous at times,
especially during the evening commute

Bottom line – be careful out there.

Drivers navigating the busy intersection of Allisonville Road and 146th Street will soon notice a significant traffic shift as construction on the new interchange continues. Scheduled to take place on or after December 19, the shift will reroute eastbound traffic onto the eastbound White River Bridge. Until now, both eastbound and westbound traffic have been using the westbound White River Bridge.

“This traffic switch is an important milestone in the project’s progress,” said Matt Lee, Bridge Program Engineer for the Hamilton County Highway Department. “While this adjustment won’t immediately add lanes, it will give our crews more space to work, bringing us one step closer to completion.”

The project, which aims to transform the intersection into a grade-separated interchange with a roundabout running beneath 146th Street on Allisonville Road, is on track for completion by summer 2025.

A second traffic shift is planned for spring 2025. This change will move traffic onto the bridge over Allisonville Road and provide access to the roundabout below—assuming favorable weather conditions.

“We are at the mercy of Mother Nature,” Lee explained. “Laying asphalt is especially challenging during colder months because it’s temperature-sensitive. Fortunately, the weather has been cooperative the past couple of years, and we’re hopeful this winter will follow suit.”

The project is designed to alleviate congestion and improve safety for drivers in the area, a key priority as the region continues to grow. While some temporary inconveniences are expected during the construction, county officials express optimism about the long-term benefits the upgraded interchange will bring.

Drivers are encouraged to stay alert and adhere to updated traffic patterns as work progresses.