Happy Friday, Carmel. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let Carmel Brief serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead.

📰 In the news

Local happenings: Library delivery for homebound residents, a planetarium showcase of Chilean telescopes for Hispanic Heritage Month, and an eighteen mile trail linking neighborhoods — catch up here.

State-level stories: Hidden study havens at IU, captive bred crawfish frogs staging a comeback, and a glossy new Fever training complex — see what else is brewing.

National headlines: Mortgage rates are trending down, investors catapult gold above 3500 an ounce, and a tropical wave eyes the Antilles — peruse the best of the rest.

Highlights this week

• Join a three-week series for ASL beginners
• Learn Medicare basics in a workshop
• Learn how AI uses your data
• Test river water with Hoosier Riverwatch
• Learn food handling safety essentials
• Anxiety about debt? Get a free consultation

🫶 We got your back

Play: When the little ones are bouncing off the walls in Carmel, channel all that energy into pure fun at these active hotspots. From leafy trails to craft studios, your kiddos won’t stop smiling.

Fairs: Indiana’s fairs pour $15.1 B into the economy with everything from deep-fried experiments to reenactments where smartphones are verboten. You don’t have to blow your budget to join the party. Check out these festival picks.

Taqueria: From perfectly charred tortillas to fillings that demand a double order, QuesaTacos Mexican Taqueria brings the kind of flavor that requires extra napkins and zero regrets.

Bargain shopping: The best finds aren’t always on store shelves. Amazon’s Deals Page is like a never-ending treasure hunt where the good stuff costs less, with new discounts dropping daily.

Save: The average driver pays $175 a month for car insurance, but most of us are paying way more than we should. If it’s been a while since you shopped around, you’re likely part of that “most of us.” This comparison tool may save you hundreds.

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📆 Around town this weekend

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

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Today

🐶 Sit. Stay. Chill @ Carmel Clay Public Library | Friday (9/5) at 4:30pm – Need a break from your homework mountain? Swing by for some much-needed quality cuddles with an adorable, registered therapy dog, courtesy of PAWS and the Chris Center. Wagging tails guaranteed, existential calm probable, productivity optional.

🚚 Fall Food Truck Festival & Bake Sale | Friday (9/5) at 5:00pm – Autumn’s excuse to graze on wheels rolls in, with a fleet of food trucks serving everything from chili dogs to vegan kale tacos, plus a bake sale that rivals New Year’s resolutions. Grab your stretchy pants, a foodie friend, and someone who’ll negotiate portion control.

This weekend

🌞 Bright as the Noonday Soirée @ Lucas Estate | Saturday (9/6) at 6:00pm – Think you can resist dueling pianos after Prime 47’s famous tenderloin? Spoiler: you can’t. Enjoy dinner, dessert, silent and live auctions, plus a cheeky round of heads and tails, all for a great cause, fostering hope for Indiana families.

🎹 Paul Cornish – New Album “You’re Exaggerating!” @ The Jazz Kitchen | Saturday (9/6) at 7:00pm – If you thought the piano at your usual happy hour bar was tired, think again. Paul Cornish, Blue Note’s newest jazz hotshot, is unleashing his debut trio album, You’re Exaggerating!, live. It’s lyrical, it’s punchy, and it’ll put your weekend playlist to shame.

😂 Etta May @ Howard L. Schrott Center for the Arts | Saturday (9/6) at 8:00pm – Swap your usual weekend plans for unfiltered Southern sass. American Comedy Awards Comic of the Year Etta May, the polyester princess with trailer park wisdom, delivers a take-no-prisoners set with truth, irony, and belly laughs. Your dry wit has never met a match like this.

🎈 Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival @ Conner Prairie | Sunday (9/7) at 8:00am – Grab your lawn chair and head out this weekend, no plane ticket, to watch hot-air balloons color morning skies into kaleidoscopes, while music and apple cider treats keep spirits sweet. Arrive early for the free pre-glow race, then cheer as the weekend champ is crowned.

👠 Strut 2 Save Lives @ Dr. James A. Dillon Park | Sunday (9/7) at 10:00am – If your dog’s tired of solo walks, leash up Fido and rally the crew for a one-mile trek celebrating organ donors and fueling the Bryan Clauson Legacy Fund. Expect wagging tails, neighborhood vendors, tasty bites, silent auction swag, and the warm buzz of doing good.

🍏 Cider Tasting & Tour @ Urban Apples Cidery | Sunday (9/7) at 1:30pm – Think you’ve squeezed every last drop of fun out of the orchard circuit? Urban Apples invites you on a barrel-side tour with the cider maker himself, complete with crisp pours, cheeky stories, and bragging rights for the most seasoned local. Cheers.

Next week

🎮 Nintendo Switch Game Night @ Carmel Clay Public Library | Monday (9/8) at 4:00pm – If your teen is already glued to a screen, let them wander into Nintendo Switch Game Night for Grades 6 to 12. They’ll squad up on Mario Kart, Smash, and more. No experience required, just button mashing and modest bragging rights.

📚 Book Buddies @ Carmel Clay Public Library | Tuesday (9/9) at 10:30am – The library is turning storytime for 4-6 year olds into a full-on adventure, pairing read-aloud fun, hands-on crafts, and surprise themes. It’s like a mini book club without awkward silences, plus you’ll walk away with fridge-worthy art.

💻 Tech Talk: AI Players, Their Data, and Your Privacy @ Carmel Clay Public Library | Tuesday (9/9) at 1:00pm – Think your smart speaker isn’t gossiping about you? Swing by for an eye-opening session on AI players, data mining, and how to keep your privacy intact. We’ll demystify the tech, share easy tricks, and yes, registration is required.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 9/5 2025 Pink & Black Ball @ Renaissance Indianapolis North – 6 pm
• 9/5 Five After Midnight @ Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael – 7:30 pm
• 9/5 Jon Shoulders @ Cobblestone Grill – 7 pm
• 9/5 Walker and Royce @ Vogue Theatre – 9 pm
• 9/6 Bruce Barker @ MashCraft – 5 pm
• 9/6 Jon England @ Cobblestone Grill – 7 pm
• 9/7 Concerts in the Centerpiece @ Coxhall Gardens – 5 pm
• 9/7 Bluewater Kings @ The Jazz Kitchen – 6 pm
• 9/9 Kenny Garrett @ The Jazz Kitchen – 6 pm

🏠️ Price is right – Carmel edition

How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).

Listed by: Dawn Pollard (eXp Realty, LLC)

White oak floors, soaring ceilings, and a dramatic two-story great room set a grand stage for this Woods at Williams Creek stunner. The double-sided fireplace, sunroom with its own hearth, and custom built-ins add just the right amount of flair. The kitchen brings the party with a walk-in pantry, center island, and a breakfast nook that’s all about casual mornings. Dual staircases keep things interesting, leading to a primary suite with a spa bath, towel warmer, and a closet that could double as a dressing room.

Downstairs, the finished lower level is ready for game night or a movie marathon, complete with a wet bar and sixth bedroom for overnight guests. Outside, the heated pool, pergola kitchen, and lush landscaping create a backyard oasis, while the 4+ car garage means there’s room for every toy and tool. All of it tucked away on a private, wooded acre with creek views.

Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →