Rain on Main, a popular painted rain barrel contest and auction presented by Carmel Utilities, Carmel Department of Storm Water Management and the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District, kicks off this Friday, August 13, with a display of twenty decorated barrels in the Carmel Arts & Design District. The barrels will remain along Main Street through the following week until they are relocated to the Carmel Farmers Market.

The barrel designs will be judged opening weekend by an independent panel and the first, second and third place artists will receive cash prizes. There will also be a “People’s Choice” award based on individual barrel “likes” on the Rain on Main Facebook pagebeginning noon, Friday, August 13 until noon, Friday, August 20.

Carmel City Center is excited to welcome baby and child boutique, Hey Little Diddle, to its mix of offerings this summer. Hey Little Diddle is located at 730 S. Rangeline Road, Suite 170 on the plaza level of Carmel City Center.

Hey Little Diddle offers newborn baby gifts, children’s books, nursery décor and designer clothing in a neutral color palette from sustainable, ethical brands in preemie size up to 4 years. Customers enjoy shopping featured brands such as Rylee + Cru, Fin & Vince, Quincy Mae, Jamie Kay, Noralee, Cuddle + Kind and more.

Flowing Well Park, located just off of 116th Street on the east side of Carmel opened in 1994 as CCPR’s very first public park. Park-goers from far and wide frequent this 15-acre park for its national park-feel and to collect water from it's artesian well, "Old Faithful."  An artesian well means that the water flows out freely; it doesn’t need to be pumped out of the ground.

Before Flowing Well Park was a park — and before it was even part of Carmel — it was a piece of land along Cool Creek in Mattsville, Ind. In 1904, the well was discovered when drillers looking for natural gas accidentally found water instead! In the early years of the well, travelers from the dusty dirt road crossed the mud on a rough boardwalk on the farm of Charles L. Williamson to collect the cool, clean water that came out of a pipe sticking out of the ground.

It was the balmiest night of the 4th weekend. The sun was slow to set over Carter Green during the grand finale of Carmel Fest 2021. It was a 4th of July weekend that just kept coming. It was Monday and I had been painting it red, white and blue since Friday. But here we were sweating eagerly in those pop-up chairs.

As a photographer, I am always on the hunt for perfect light but when I think about it, it is not a hunt at all; it just shows up. But you have to recognize it just as you recognize an old friend who you hope is coming to the party and YESS - there they are. And that’s what happened.

The Beginnings

The year was 2012, and Realtor, Bob Slawson was assisting potential custom home buyers identify appropriate homesites and choose from a collection of pre-designed models available in Zionsville’s Stonegate neighborhood. One model had the right style, but not the right layout. Another model had the right layout, but not the right size. It was only after listening to client after client become frustrated with not being able to find just the right combination of features that Bob had an epiphany. Enter Nick Winings.

InCycle Strength is a full-strength training studio that offers group classes, personal training, and small group training (2-4 clients). Classes utilize the TRX System as well as weights, kettle bells, stability balls, resistance tubes and bands. InCycle Strength offers four class formats: TRX (Total Resistance Training, a specialized form of suspension training that utilizes body weight to develop strength, balance, flexibility and core stability simultaneously), Strength Circuit Training, Barre and a Pilates Stretch/Strength.

Christopher Scott Homes has been in business since 2002, creating one-of-a-kind luxury homes in the Indianapolis area. The owners, Chris Carnell and Scott Bates, have partnered to provide unique home design with personalized service and top-of-the-line products and materials. The company prides itself as hands-on builders, offering meticulous oversight at building projects to maintain excellent quality control. 

Michelle Yager-French and Adam French are the owners of Carmel Tattoo Ink, a tattoo shop located in Downtown Carmel. Open since 2010, they recently moved to a new location in the Arts & Design District. This new space has allowed them to realize their dream of offering a comfortable, spa-like tattoo experience.

Le Peep has opened its most recent dining location at the Indiana Design Center. The restaurant, serving a large selection of sweet and savory breakfast, lunch and brunch dishes, is located on the first floor of the design center and offers both indoor and year-round patio seating.

Le Peep is well known in central Indiana with several locations in the greater Indianapolis area; this is the fourth location in Hamilton county and the first in Carmel’s Arts & Design District. The popular brunch spot serves many breakfast and lunch favorites, from customizable omelettes and skillet bowl favorites to burgers, sandwiches and salads, with breakfast available all day. All dishes are made-to-order while the restaurant sources the freshest ingredients and also buys from local food purveyors.