THE 'R WORD' ... JUST IN CASE

What does a CarmelFest chairman do in the face of the possibility of inclement weather heading for our city on Thursday?

"I'm not even going to talk to you about it," said a chuckling Gary Frey, leader of CarmelFest 2008, Wednesday morning. "Truthfully, we've been watching the weather, and if it rains, the show goes on. Now, entertainment may be delayed somewhat, but they pick up where they left off once (weather) subsides. We stay abreast of the situation and make decisions on a minute-by-minute basis if necessary, but, no, a little bit of rain isn't going to hurt us or anyone at all."

Last year, more than 50,000 people attended CarmelFest. Frey and his fellow volunteers expect "well more than that" this time around.

"CarmelFest will not be rescheduled," Frey said. "We've committed to these dates, planned for them all year and will pay all our bills regardless. We're confident it's going to be a wonderful event and another opportunity to showcase our great city."

However (just in case), grab an umbrella, a rain jacket or a pancho, because the show will go on. And we have this on very good authority: No one's going to melt if it does rain Thursday. Friday will require sunscreen, lots of it. The forecast (if you choose to believe it) as of Wednesday: 60 percent chance of rain Thursday, sunny Friday.

(From your friends Current Publishing, LLC: Have a happy, safe and restful Fourth of July weekend! And do us a favor, please. If you see a CarmelFest volunteer, be sure to thank that person for selflessly giving of his or her time throughout the year to make these two days come together for all of us. Enjoy!)

* * * * *

SPARK BUTTON WINNING NUMBERS POSTED HERE JULY 8
CarmelFest 2008 officials announced Friday that the complete list of winners will be published in Current in Carmel and in this space on July 8. Sales of the buttons, used to help defray the cost of Fourth of July fireworks, continue through the event. Here, however, is a list of numbers already drawn, as provided by CarmelFest 2008:

Button #9414, Lois Wyant Photography, $100.00 gift certificate
Button #2293, Woody's Library Restaurant, $25.00 gift certificate
Button #1848, Carmel Old Town Antique Mall, (1) 1947 Hull Art Magnolia Vase
Button #1962, Lois Wyant Photography, $100.00 gift certificate
Button #1424, Kipp Brothers, $25.00 gift certificate
Button #2067, The Fountain Banquet/Conference Center, gift basket
Button #1593, Lois Wyant Photography, $100.00 gift certificate
Button #1604, Shane Photography, 50% off sitting fee ($75.00 value)
Button #2039, Hogan Mayflower, Mayflower toy truck
Button #8767, Lois Wyant Photography, $100.00 gift certificate
Button #1735, Carmel Old Town Antique Mall, (1) 1947 Hull Art Magnolia Vase
Button #1809, Puccini's Smiling Teeth, $20.00 gift certificate
Button #9488, Lois Wyant Photography, $100.00 gift certificate
Button #3327, Wolff Benedict Marketing, Inc., 1 Waterford crystal bowl
Button #9567, Artisan Masterpiece, $35.00 gift certificate

All prizes should be picked up at the Carmel Arts & Design District Office (111 W. Main Street, Suite 140) from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The deadline date for prize pick-up is July 31.

* * * * *

FIND THE LEAST-EXPENSIVE GAS!
Check this out! Just plug in your ZIP code and it tells you which gas stations have the lowest prices (and the highest) on gas in our area. It's updated every evening. Go to http://autos.msn.com/everyday/gasstations.aspx?zip=&src=Netx

* * * * *

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR ROCK THE DISTRICT
The Carmel Arts & Design District is calling for volunteers to help with the operation of Rock the District 2008. Help is needed in several areas, including setup, cleanup, stage management, information and hospitality, and runners. All volunteers will receive a free Rock the District T-shirt.
This year is the second-annual Rock the District, a free community-wide music festival and shopping extravaganza. Last year’s inaugural event drew more than 7,000 people to the Arts & Design District from throughout the state of Indiana and elsewhere. The event takes place in Carmel’s Arts & Design District on Saturday, July 19 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The day will include a sidewalk sale, food vendors and music from local bands on three different stages. The event will end with performances by national recording artists Jon McLaughlin and Matt Wertz. Please contact Megan McVicker at 571-2791 or mmcvicker@carmel.in.gov if you wish to become a volunteer.

* * * * *

CARMEL WOMAN, KIDS FIND MEDALLION!

With the third clue, Angela Horner "just knew" the end of the Hunt for the CarmelFest Medallion "had to be" at Civic Square. And that's exactly where she and her children, Karisa, 10 and Kyle, 7, found the medal this morning, thus bringing to an abrupt end the 10-day competition.

"I still can't believe it," said Horner, a Brookshire Estates resident. "This is amazing ... and we even have a spot (in her home) where we're going to put it."

"It" is a customized DreamAuthentics video-arcade game/jukebox system, valued at $3,000 and provided by Carmel residents Rick Barretto and Scott Abbott, owners of DreamAuthentics, The DreamAuthentics Katana is a table-top video-arcade system, fully loaded with a high-end PC, speakers, arcade jukebox, lighted buttons, joystick, trackball, spinner, 125 classic retro arcade games, and the exterior, including the backlit marquee, will be stylized to the Horners' wishes. (You may learn more about the Katana at www.dreamauthentics.com!)

Bardach Awards, which minted the medallion, is a co-sponsor of the event.

Horner and her children will be presented the grand-prize award July 4 at the Gazebo at Civic Square prior to the Carmel Symphony Orchestra concert.

The medallion was hidden at the base of the easternmost brick pillar on the north side of City Hall. It was placed amongst the groundcover against the cement pedestal.

Here are the clues (NOW with explanations):

1. They play no games here. (Civic Square)
2. There is music in the air. (Gazebo)
3. Walk sideways. (Criss-crossing sidewalks at Civic Square)
4. No grates, but gates - and don't be walled off! (North side of City Hall)

The rest of the clues WOULD have been these (had the Horners' persistence not paid off):

5. Only one sits on the bench. (Carmel City Court)
6. Don’t get hosed. (Diversion: fire station)
7. There’s the steeple. Where’s the church? (Again, City Hall)
8. One of two of the community’s pillars here. (North side side of City Hall)
9.Look to the east and then straight down. (Easternmost pillar)
10. Use your hands; do not dig; it’s placed beneath the green and twigs. (At the base of the pillar)

"On behalf of our partners at CarmelFest 2008, DreamAuthentics and Bardach Awards, and the staff at Current in Carmel, we're thrilled for the Horner family," said Steve Greenberg, executive vice president of the newspaper. "Let the games begin!"