When I was encouraged to apply for the HSEngaged program a few years ago, I wasn’t sure about that.  After all, at that time, I had covered the local school board for over 10 years and attended a number of school events.  Would I really learn anything new?

I applied, was chosen, and let’s just say I learned a lot about the Hamilton Southeastern Schools I did not know before.  This is a program I would recommend to anyone with an interest in what is going on in our local school district.

A new holistic wellness center is opening its doors in downtown Fishers later this month. Armonía Life Design will host a Grand Opening Community Open House on Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 12 to 4 p.m. at 8865 South Street.

The free event is open to the public and will feature a variety of wellness-themed activities and attractions, including outdoor yoga sessions, sound healing experiences, mini massages, food trucks, and a community raffle with prizes. The celebration is designed to introduce the public to the center’s services and team of wellness practitioners.

Armonía Life Design is a collaborative space that brings together a group of professionals known as the “Healers in Harmony.” The center offers a wide range of holistic healing services, such as counseling and therapy, therapeutic massage, Reiki and energy healing, sound healing, holistic facials, and mindful movement practices like yoga and meditation.

Founded by Donna Marie Marino, the center aims to provide a safe, supportive environment for individuals seeking emotional healing, personal growth, or a moment of calm.

The name “Armonía,” meaning “harmony” in Italian, reflects the center’s mission to promote balance and connection between the mind, body, and soul. The new space is intended to serve clients in Fishers as well as the broader Indianapolis area.

The Fishers Century Club will celebrate four years of charitable giving and community connection at its next quarterly meeting on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and will be held at The Club Coworking, located at Knowledge Services’ event space at 9800 Crosspoint Boulevard.

Founded in June 2021, the Fishers Century Club has harnessed the power of crowd-giving to raise and donate more than $50,000 to nonprofit organizations serving the Fishers area. The group brings together men from across the community, each contributing a small donation that, when pooled together, creates a substantial gift to a local charity chosen by the group.

At each quarterly meeting, attendees hear brief presentations from three local 501(c)(3) organizations nominated by club members. After the presentations, the group votes to award funding to one of the nonprofits that evening.

“We’re incredibly proud of what the group has accomplished over the past four years,” said Adam Kallick, founder of the Fishers Century Club. “It’s proof that when a group of guys make a small commitment, by combining the power of giving with the strength of local network connections, it leads to a BIG impact for our community.”

The upcoming anniversary meeting will include complimentary pizza, drinks, and desserts, celebrating both the Club’s milestone and its continued commitment to community, conversation, and charitable support. The Club welcomes new members and guests interested in learning more or participating in the giving process.

Men interested in supporting the cause but unable to attend meetings in person can contribute through the Club’s online platform at grapevine.org.

For more information about the Fishers Century Club, including a list of past grant recipients, visit fisherscenturyclub.com or follow the group on Facebook at facebook.com/fisherscenturyclub.

You can often gauge the economic vitality of a community by the banking services it attracts. For years, Citizens State Bank, headquartered in New Castle, has maintained a steady presence on Municipal Drive in Fishers. Now, another financial institution is joining the area’s growing commercial landscape in the Nickel Plate District.

Northwest Bank, based in Columbus, Ohio, officially opened its doors Tuesday in a new office near the Nickel Plate Amphitheater. The new branch offers a spacious, modern environment and a full range of banking services tailored to both individuals and businesses.

I spoke with Jennifer Gibson, Region President for Northwest Bank, about the institution’s decision to invest in a full-service retail banking center at a time when many banks are scaling back physical locations in favor of online services. Use the link below to watch my full video interview with Gibson.

Tuesday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony drew several local dignitaries. To mark the occasion, Northwest Bank donated $5,000 each to the Fishers Youth Initiative and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indiana. Gibson emphasized that the bank’s community involvement won’t end there—Northwest plans to support local nonprofits not only through financial contributions but also by encouraging employees to actively volunteer across the area.

Fishers has had a summer festival just before the 4th of July since 1989.  This year, the Spark Fishers Festival is set for June 24-28, with an added attraction on Monday, June 30 for a Rotary golf event.

I spoke with Fishers Parks and Recreation Director Marissa Deckert, along with her Assistant Director Allison (Allie) Kaser, on a podcast to talk in detail about this year’s festival plans.  You can listen to the podcast at the link below.

Ed Gebhart came to Indiana from California 25 years ago, joining the Fishers Police Department.  He is now the  Fishers Chief of Police and was honored Monday night for his years of service to the city.

Mayor Scott Fadness praised Chief Gebhart for his leadership qualities in a presentation before the City Council.  “We are safer and better for it,” said Mayor Fadness.

Also at Monday night’s City Council session, a group of students from the 2025 Mayor’s Youth Academy made their case before the Councilors to construct a zipline in the city.

Finally, Fishers Armed Services Commission President El Ahlwardt recognized Jonathan Tangara, a recent Fishers High School graduate, now preparing to enter the military academy at West Point.

The Fishers City council had a pointed discussion about zoning policy before approving a rezone requested by Pulte Homes to develop 21 homes at 11052 Cumberland Road by a 6-2 vote.  The development, known as Gerardot Planned Unit Development (PUD), is 9.15 acres that was rezoned by the Council vote to reflect the specific zoning for this project as part of the PUD.

Councilman Brad DeReamer was critical of the Pulte plan for this project, saying there will not be enough space between the homes to install heating and air conditioning units.  DeReamer also explained a view he has expressed often during his time on the Council, saying PUDs do not respect the zoning ordinances of the city.  A PUD essentially provides the zoning rules for that particular development.

Council President Pete Peterson expressed support for using PUDs in developments, arguing this process allows the city to get changes from the developer favorable to the city.

The vote to approve the rezone was 6-2, with Councilors DeReamer and Bill Stuart voting no.  Stuart attended the meeting remotely.  Councilman Todd Zimmerman was not in attendance.

In other matters before the Council Monday night:

–Life Science firm 1Elaven plans to move its operations from San Diego to Fishers in a currently vacant space measuring 130 square feet, at 12001 Exhibit 5 Parkway, providing 120 jobs over 10 years with an average salary of $90,000 annually.  Councilors unanimously voted to approve the economic development package.

–The Council approved the annual review of economic development compliance by firms entering into such agreements with the city.  Only 2 were terminated, Republic Waste and Stanley Security.  Republic has since moved from the site that created the incentives and Stanley’s agreement was terminated by the company’s request.  All other economic development deals show compliance by the private firms.

— The Fishers Fire and Emergency Services Department requested increases in emergency services fees, covering additional costs.  The Council suspended the rules by unanimous vote and passed the changes.  For more on the changes, see this link.

–Councilors gave first reading to changes in the property maintenance code.  The new language changes some verbiage that has not been updated since 2014.  For the proposed fees, use this link.  You can review the proposed ordinance language at this link.  The ordinance is not yet final.

–The Council changed the city’s salary ordinance to provide an Executive Lieutenant position in the Police Department.

–Final approval was given to the Gray Eagle project for apartments on the grounds of the golf course.

The Fishers City Council on Monday night reviewed a proposed ordinance aimed at addressing parking congestion in two neighborhoods frequently impacted by nonresident vehicles during specific times.

The plan, introduced during the council’s first reading of the ordinance, would establish a resident parking pass system for two targeted areas along Lantern Road—one near the King Jugg establishment and the other surrounding the Al Huda Mosque.

Fishers Police Chief Ed Gebhart told council members that King Jugg generates increased street parking primarily during live music events and select other occasions. Meanwhile, the Al Huda Mosque draws large crowds—many from outside Fishers—especially during Friday prayers and the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Under the proposal, residents in these affected neighborhoods would be eligible for parking permits, allowing them to park on the street during designated times when parking would otherwise be restricted. City officials clarified that these restrictions would only apply during peak demand periods, not around the clock.

Mayor Scott Fadness explained that the Fishers Board of Public Works and Safety—which includes the mayor and two appointees—would be responsible for determining the specific days and hours when restrictions are in effect. If a resident plans to host a special event, such as a graduation party, the city would work with them to accommodate parking during the restricted times.

Violators of the ordinance would face a $150 fine.

As this was only the ordinance’s first reading, city officials noted that there will be opportunities for public feedback and revisions before a final vote is taken.