Happy Tuesday, Hamilton County. In today’s edition: AARP age-friendly city plan, Festival of Carols, A Christmas Story, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Building a more inclusive city: Westfield has joined the AARP Age-Friendly States and Communities Network, becoming the ninth community in Indiana. The city commits to a five-year plan to improve livability with resident input — see the seven-step process.

Year-end civic roundup: Hamilton County commissioners honored longtime employees, approved Integra election software, and grappled with bidless bridge rehab plans. They reviewed CDBG spending, with the final meeting set for Dec. 18 — read the full story.

Fresh vision for downtown: Noblesville Main Street named Joshua Mason its next executive director, with Mason set to assume the role Jan. 1, overseeing programs, events, business support, volunteers, partnerships, and accreditation efforts — read the full story.

Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since January. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.

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.

Highlights this week

• Enjoy free family-friendly Carmel Christkindlmarkt
• Experience Festival of Carols with Bruno Sandes
• Tigers vs Royals at Fishers Event Center
• Leadership skills strengthen teams at this success workshop
• Donate blood for HEPL swag and book
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• A home warranty that actually pays is 30% off

🫶 We got your back

Holiday cheer crowned again: Carmel Christkindlmarkt has been voted USA Today 10Best’s No. 1 Holiday Market in the U.S. for the fifth time by a national public vote. Open through Christmas Eve, the authentic German-style market draws over a quarter million visitors to 50 food and artisan huts, live music, and an ice rink. It’s one of only two Midwest markets ranked. Get all the details.

Local dining moves to watch: Indy’s far north side gets fresh pours and pies: BlackSheep Craft Pizza & Cocktails is now open in Westfield’s Grand Junction Plaza, and Fishers lands Indiana’s first Voodoo Brewery. Also on the radar: Tea’s Me will close its 22nd Street flagship by month’s end, and two local cafes rebrand as Anecdote Coffee in early January. Get all the details.

Indie night, handled: Skip the megaplex rut, Kan-Kan Cinema is a locally owned arthouse curating sharp indies, docs, classics, and occasional oddities, plus film series and community events. Sip something from the bar and make an easy, brain-pleasing night of it any time.

Hear me out: My mom’s been asking people to repeat themselves 5,281 times too many for years. She always avoided hearing aids like the plague — they’re clunky, obvious, expensive, not really worth it. I always thought “she’s not wrong” until I saw these new invisible hearing aids going viral. In the same boat? Now’s a great time to check them out before unused health benefits expire on the 31st.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now + you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.

📆 Around town this week

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.

This week

🎗 Fundraiser for Allison’s cancer!! @ Pasto Italiano Westfield | Tuesday (12/16) at 3:00pm – Bring your appetite and your big heart. Benito DiBartoli’s playing while 20% of dine-in tabs help Allison, plus raffles for a designer handbag, and wine baskets. Prefer sweatpants dining? Grab the pasta-for-six carryout for $140, cash only, with 100% to her.

🍼 Babytime @ Meeting Rooms–East/Center | Wednesday (12/17) at 8:30am – Snuggle up with your little one for a cozy half hour of rhymes, songs, and storytime magic. It’s the perfect gentle start to the day for babies and their grown-ups—no pressure, just sweet moments and tiny giggles.

🧘 Free Yoga Wednesdays @ Billericay Park | Wednesday (12/17) at 9:00am – Roll out your mat and breathe in some midweek zen at this all-levels outdoor yoga session. Roots & Wings Yoga and Wellness will guide you through an easygoing flow that’ll loosen your shoulders, quiet your mind, and remind you that yes—you can make it to Friday. Bring your mat, your chillest vibes, and maybe a warm layer.

💚 The Grinch @ Flix Brewhouse | Friday (12/19) at 9:00am – Got tiny Whos with big holiday energy? This Flix Jr. screening of The Grinch keeps the lights dimmed, the volume gentle, and the meltdowns minimal, so you can actually finish your popcorn, sip your coffee, and feel like a parenting champion for an hour.

🎨 Derpy Tiger Painting Class @ Kiln Creations | Friday (12/19) at 5:00pm – Whether your art peaked at stick figures or you actually own a beret, come paint Derpy Tiger and Sus Bird in his hat. $20 covers a pre-traced 9×11 canvas, paints, and instruction in blending and shading, and kids under 13 may want a helpful adult.

This weekend

🛍️ Indiana Vintage Market 23 Noblesville @ Hamilton County Fairgrounds | Saturday (12/20) at 11:00am – Clear some trunk space and swing by the Hamilton County Fairgrounds for Indiana Vintage Market’s return. Over 40 vendors slinging vintage clothes, vinyl, toys, and home goods. Dress like your high school yearbook, but better, $5 GA, $12 early bird, kids free.

🧪 Wonder Lab @ Youth Services Large Program Room | Saturday (12/20) at 10:00am – A quick story time followed by hands-on STEAM stations, because learning sticks better when glue and glitter are involved. Bring the kids or grandkids, sip your coffee, and let them tinker with science, technology, engineering, art, and math while you pretend it counts as cardio.

🐦 World of Wingspan @ Meeting Room- B | Saturday (12/20) at 1:00pm – If your idea of wild life these days is a quiet table, good company, and beautiful artwork, come learn Wingspan, Wyrmspan, and Finspan in a guided session. Nature-inspired strategy, easy teaching, zero rulebook battles, and just enough friendly competition to justify a snack.

🎄 A Christmas Story @ The Center for the Performing Arts | Saturday (12/20) at 1:00pm – Relive the hilarious holiday chaos of Ralphie, the leg lamp, and that infamous Red Ryder BB gun in this beloved stage adaptation. It’s nostalgia, laughs, and festive charm all wrapped up with a bow—perfect for families, date day, or anyone who can’t resist a classic Christmas tale done live.

🎶 Festival of Carols @ The Center for the Performing Arts | Sunday (12/21) at 2:00pm – Ring in the season with Central Indiana’s most beloved holiday concert, packed with festive classics, joyful new arrangements, and plenty of heart. Guest vocalist Bruno Sandes returns by popular demand, and you’ll even get to help choose a carol or two. Expect Santa, soaring harmonies, and a whole sleigh-full of surprises.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/16 Fundraiser for Allison @ Pasto Italiano – 3 pm
• 12/17 Indy Story Slam – Self-Awareness @ Grand Junction Brewing – 6 pm
• 12/18 Carmel Jazz Fest Holiday with Brenda and Blair @ Fork + Ale House – 6 pm
• 12/18 All the Way Frank (Sinatra tribute) @ Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael – 6:30 pm
• 12/20 Tege Holt & The Lonesome Pines @ Urban Apples – 6 pm
• 12/27 Elizabeth Lee @ Spencer Farm Winery – 6 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: Heather Upton (Keller Williams Indy Metro NE)

Modern Harmony stunner in Westfield with a light-soaked open plan and a gourmet kitchen built for crowd control. Spacious bedrooms, plus a fully finished basement with a guest suite and a flexy family room fit for theater nights, sweat sessions, or epic Mario Kart marathons. Covered patio and year-round hot tub included.

Three pools including a heated adults-only option, 24/7 gym, courts for tennis and pickleball, trails, dog parks, gardens, putting green, fire pits, and a buzzing clubhouse with concerts and food trucks. Minutes to shopping, dining, top-rated schools, and Grand Park.

Take a peek inside →