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Hi Hamilton County, we made it to Thursday! 

In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: Engine of innovation report, a haunted Underground Railroad ghost walk, and Sherri Shepherd’s stand-up tour + plenty of reasons to put on real pants this week.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Hamilton County protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Population and investment surge: Noblesville was named the region’s Engine of Innovation in a Cushman & Wakefield report, highlighting Innovation Mile’s growth, a 123 percent inventory jump since 2015, and low commercial vacancy — see what’s driving growth.

Big weekends prompt policy shift: Carmel City Council approved 2026 dates that won’t count toward short-term rental limits, tied to the Indy 500, CarmelFest, and Thanksgiving, with upcoming meetings on housing and senior living — get all the details.

Ballpark festivities await fans: Victory Field marks 30 seasons with ticket deals and promos. Single-game tickets are on sale now. The Indianapolis Indians season begins March 27, the earliest start in Victory Field history — see this season’s promotions.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Paint a portrait of your pet
• Ring in spring with Lagom in Bloom
• Celebrate Earth Day at Fresh Thyme
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home

💎 Local business spotlight

Small stage, big feels: Carmel Community Players presents The Spitfire Grill this week, a folk-tinged musical about second chances that warms the community soul. If you’ve wanted to support local theatre and maybe shed a happy tear, take this as your gentle nudge.

Chili dog comfort, secured: When the craving hits for a messy chili cheese dog, Nick’s Chili Parlor serves foot-long classics, jumbo all-beef dogs, and a no-frills diner vibe that brightens Mondays. It’s a quick reset, pure Indianapolis nostalgia, with flavors that hit the spot without fuss.

Where book hunts pay off: Whether you’re after well-loved classics, rare finds, or an oddly perfect out-of-print mystery, Black Dog Books makes discovery feel easy… with local authors, antiquarian maps, and staff who actually track down the title you swear you saw. Expect happy detours and a stack you didn’t plan on.

\*These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.

🫶 We got your back

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Thinning hair? Don’t treat the wrong thing: When my ponytail started thinning, I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, sprays, etc.) and not one of them lasted. Turns out, most products target the strand, not the follicle… and that’s the whole problem. Once follicles go dormant, they need targeted help to come back. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn about my favorites here →

Six figures you can’t spend: Most homeowners over 50 have spent years dutifully paying their mortgage, assuming the only time it’ll pay off is when they sell. I thought the same thing until I discovered you can tap into the equity you’ve earned whenever you want (without leaving your home). Overdue for a new roof? Want to build your dream bathroom? There are two ways to turn equity into usable cash →

📆 Hamilton County for grown ups

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🥒 Spring Invitational Pickleball Tournament @ 3rd Shot Pickleball Indy | Friday (3/13) at 12:00 PM – Spring here means pickleball, warm hospitality, and just enough prize money to make your serves a little crisper, $5,250 in the Open divisions. Play to level up, from beginner dinks to pro heat. Not tourney-ready? Volunteer, meet folks, and learn the tournament ropes.

👻 Friday 13th Haunted Underground Railroad Ghost Walk @ Westfield City Hall | Friday (3/13) at 8:00 PM – Whether you believe or just love a good yarn, this Friday the 13th ghost walk threads Westfield’s Underground Railroad legends, lingering spirits, and a dash of modern mischief through our downtown, ending at a historic cemetery. Outdoor stroll, reservations required, no gadgets, just goosebumps.

🎸 8th Annual Shamrock the District @ Muldoon’s (Carmel) | Saturday (3/14) at 1:00 PM – St. Patrick’s season calls for a proper tent party, live bagpipes, and Irish food and drink specials that turn good intentions into great stories. Expect Indy 500 Gordon Pipers, Irish bingo, My Yellow Rickshaw, and karaoke with Keari. Pace yourself, and wear green.

🎤 Sherri Shepherd: Make It Make Sense Tour @ 502 N New Jersey St Parking (Indianapolis) | Saturday (3/14) at 7:00 PM – Sherri Shepherd brings her Make It Make Sense Tour to town, and honestly, I could use someone to explain life lately. Expect sharp stand-up from The View star, real stories, and belly laughs that count as core work, parking woes and all.

🎨 Pigment & Paper Watercolor Workshop! @ Urban Apples (Westfield) | Sunday (3/15) at 2:00 PM – Whether your watercolors are dusty or you crave a calmer afternoon, this workshop is a sweet reset. We’ll paint winter’s last hush meeting spring’s first buds, sip something warm, and embrace patience, layering, and happy accidents. Around here, winter and spring rarely agree.

🍸 Build to Entertain: Cocktail Class @ Nicholas Design Build Design Center (Fishers) | Wednesday (3/18) at 5:30 PM – Trade your dusty sour mix for a hands-on cocktail class at the Nicholas Design Build center. You will mix a proper Manhattan and a bubbly French 75, pick up history and flavor tips, enjoy appetizers, and leave dangerously confident. Limited spots, registration required.

👜 Designer Bag Bingo @ 502 East Event Centre (Carmel) | Thursday (3/19) at 5:00 PM – Swap PTA bingo for the chic kind, with four free cards per round, a disco buffet, and designer handbag prizes, maybe even a Louis. Dress your decade, hit the cash bar, and try not to outbid neighbors at the silent auction, presented by Paradigm Health.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/13 Jai Baker 3 @ King Jugg Brewing Company (Fishers) – 7:00 PM
• 3/13 Live Music @ Crate Escapes Dog Park + Bar (Westfield) – 7:00 PM
• 3/13 Music Bingo @ Pinheads & Alley’s Alehouse (Fishers) – 7:00 PM
• 3/14 Irish Night @ Grand Junction Brewing Co. (Westfield) – 7:00 PM
• 3/14 Gregorian @ Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts (Carmel) – 8:00 PM
• 3/14 Syd’s @ Syd’s Bar and Grill (Noblesville) – 8:00 PM
• 3/19 The Drowning Girls @ Basile Westfield Playhouse – 7:30 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Hamilton County report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 46°F – Low: 39°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 46. West northwest wind 6 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. South southwest wind 7 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 55°F – Low: 31°F – Precip: 2%

Partly sunny, with a high near 55. West southwest wind 17 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

This house is wild

At the end of a cul-de-sac, this Arts & Crafts ranch sits steps from Carmel City Center and Monon Trail. 14-foot beamed ceilings frame a great room with fireplace and a kitchen with 7.5-foot island and butler’s pantry. Four-panel sliders open to a pergola patio with stone fireplace and water feature. Speakeasy lower level showcases a 13-foot bar. No HOA.

Take a peek inside →