Happy Friday, Hamilton County. In today’s edition: Downtown Westfield transformation, cocoa & crafts with Santa, a menopause conversation circle, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Downtown Westfield transformation underway: Officials broke ground on Grand on Main, a $105 million Westfield project with 216 apartments, 60,000+ square feet of retail and office, rooftop amenities, and a 575-space parking garage — see what’s planned here.

Expanding investment in Indianapolis: Empire Group closed a $53 million construction loan to build Village at Hyde Park, a 256-unit BTR community in Noblesville featuring detached homes, private yards, and resort style amenities — get all the details.

New ownership for open-air hub: Hines Global Income Trust acquired Carmel’s Clay Terrace mall, 95% leased with Whole Foods and Dick’s. Purchase includes a 14.4-acre multifamily site and was part of a $350 million deal — get all the details.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per 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.

Identity theft is up 25%: Last year, Americans lost $12.5 billion to ID theft & fraud, and the stories behind those numbers are brutal. My friend just told me his dad’s on his fourth replacement credit card. Other folks have woken up to empty bank accounts or their personal info dumped online after a breach. Aura catches these kinds of attacks early by monitoring for new accounts, weird money movements, leaked data, and other red flags so you’re alerted before things blow up — learn more about it here.

Highlights this week

• Play detective on a holiday murder train
• Join Carmel’s festive Glühwein Gallop 5k
• Shop 40+ vintage vendors in Noblesville
• Honor military at Carmel Christkindlmarkt
• Choose the music at Festival of Carols
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• A tiny hearing aid is taking the US by storm

🫶 We got your back

Stronger ties for commerce: OneZone Chamber is launching the Fishers Small Business Network to connect local entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community leaders. Expect regular meetups with guest speakers, roundtables, and city updates focused on growth and advocacy. Open to OneZone members and prospective members. Event details are coming soon. Read the full story.

Empowering women through education: A Fishers mother-daughter duo, Megan and Tracey Carpentier, launched Hamilton County’s first Soroptimist club to expand education-focused support for women and girls. The new chapter meets monthly, is recruiting members, and plans to award “Live Your Dream” and Virginia M. Wagner scholarships, with a teen career program targeted for late 2025 or early 2026. Learn how to get involved.

Hair day, upgraded: If your ends are plotting a coup, Salon 01 in Carmel brings seasoned stylists, precision cuts, and dimensional color to restore order. Smoothing services tame frizz, leaving hair glossy and cooperative, so December feels polished without trying.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I decided to take Hers’ online quiz. They recommended a Biotin + Minoxidil green-apple gummy for regrowth and overall hair health. The whole thing was surprisingly easy: just verify who you are and a licensed provider signs off. Here’s the quiz if you want to check it out.

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, their curated kits are worth a look.

📆 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.

Today

🥚 December Eggs and Issues with OneZone @ The Bridgewater Club | Friday (12/12) at 7am – Start your morning with a hot breakfast, fresh connections, and a deep dive into the issues shaping Hamilton County. Chamber members, guests, and early birds alike can enjoy networking, insights from local leaders, and a lively Q&A before the day even gets rolling. Perfect for anyone who likes their civic engagement served sunny-side up.

🎷 Dave Koz & Friends@ Center for the Performing Arts | Friday (12/12) at 8:00pm – Finally, holiday jazz worth leaving the house for, as Dave Koz brings his long-running tour with fresh takes on Christmas classics and a Chanukah medley. Expect Jonathan Butler, Haley Reinhart, Casey Abrams, and Kayla Waters, with Bethany Robinson and the Purdue Jazz Collective opening.

This weekend

🍎 Merciful Choice Food Pantry @ Merciful H.E.L.P. Center | Saturday (12/13) at 8am – The Merciful Choice Food Pantry offers drive-thru grocery support for Hamilton County neighbors, making it quick, dignified, and easy to get essential items. Just bring a photo ID and proof of residency, stay in your car, and the team loads up everything from produce to pantry staples. A simple, caring way to get the help you need—no judgment, just support.

🎉 Kick Off to Winter Party @ Urban Vines Winery & Brewery | Saturday (12/13) at 11:00am – If you’ve been waiting for an excuse to wear that ugly sweater in public, here it is. A winter kick-off with a hot cocoa bar, kiddo snowflake crafts, cookie and wine flights for parents, and monthly pizza special, free to join, pay as you go.

🐾 Ugly Sweater PAWliday @ Crate Escapes Dog Park + Bar | Saturday (12/13) at 2:00pm – Throw on your offensively festive sweater, grab the dog, and hit the dog bar for photos with Santa, an ugly sweater showdown, and Christmas cocktails, all supporting Far Fetched Dog Rescue. Rescue pups pick toys from the drive, and yes, dogs need registration and vaccines.

☕ Cocoa & Crafts with Santa @ Caravan Classes | Sunday (12/14) at 9:30am – Whether you still believe or just believe in cocoa, Bica Café and Caravan Classes are teaming up for Cocoa & Crafts with Noblesville’s Santa. Sip, glue, and grin while the big guy poses for pics, then reserve because these fill faster than holiday calendars.

🧣 Cozy By Nature @ Relax Adjust Zone, Reiki Massage | Sunday (12/14) at 12:00pm – Lean into hibernation mode with a hands-on day making winter wreaths, plus simmer pot jars that make your place smell like citrus, spice, and competence. Bring your cozy sweater, leave with something pretty, fragrant, and vaguely Pinterest-adjacent. Low stress, high smug factor.

🐴 Vintage Village Carriage Rides @ Santa House | Sunday (12/14) at 2:00pm – Because your SUV doesn’t jingle, take a free horse-drawn carriage through Zionsville past century homes in their holiday best. Hot cocoa from Brick Street Catering is included. Start at the Santa House, seats four, reserve ahead, or try your luck with first-come walk ups.

Next week

🔥 Hot Topics: A Menopause Conversation Circle @ Rangeline Chiropractic | Monday (12/15) at 5:30pm – Join a welcoming circle where women can swap stories, laugh through the awkward stuff, and get real guidance on navigating perimenopause and menopause. Expect candid conversation, supportive community vibes, and practical wellness tips you’ll actually want to use. A low-pressure space to feel seen, heard, and maybe even a little empowered.

📚 Palladium Bookies: 2 A.M. at The Cat’s Pajamas by Marie-Helene Bertino @ Center for the Performing Arts | Monday (12/15) at 5:30pm – Dive into sharp wit, late-night charm, and character-driven chaos as the Palladium Bookies gather to unpack this quirky novel. Enjoy some social time before breaking into groups for deeper conversation—perfect for readers who love connecting stories to the performing arts. RSVP required, bookish enthusiasm encouraged.

🥃 Bourbon and Bling @ Moyer Fine Jewelers | Tuesday (12/16) at 5:00pm – Polish your rocks glass and head to Bourbon & Bling for appetizers, an open bar from Prime 47, and a raffle with bottles like Pappy 12, Stagg, and Blanton’s. Silent auction for jewelry and tickets, because philanthropy pairs with Pappy, all benefiting Westfield Education Foundation.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/12 Live Music @ Cobblestone Grill – 6 pm
• 12/13 The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show @ Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel – 5:30 pm
• 12/13 That ’90s Band @ Joe’s Grille – 9 pm
• 12/14 Holiday Pops: Spirit of the Season @ The Palladium – 1 pm
• 12/17 Murder at the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party @ Nickel Plate Express – 7:30 pm
• 12/18 Carmel Jazz Fest Holiday @ Fork + Ale House – 6 pm
• 12/19 Human Jukebox @ Feinstein’s – 6:30 pm

🏠️ Price is right – Hamilton County 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: Michael Johns (CENTURY 21 Scheetz)

Custom 5BD/4.5BA in gated Grassy Branch at Bridgewater, wrapped in rich hardwoods and a coffered great room with built-ins. A Miele kitchen with huge island and pantry. Four season lanai faces the pond with Sedona grill, XL Egg and gas fireplace. Main level suite with massive closet and spa bath.

Upstairs brings three spacious bedrooms, a big bonus room and a second laundry. Walk-out lower level goes full social with TV wall, wet bar and wine fridge plus a fifth bedroom. Terraces, stamped patio, stone fire pit and invisible fence. Efficient HVAC, speakers, security, Bridgewater Club perks.

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