If you enjoy viewing holiday decorations and lights, make a night of driving past some of these extravagantly decorated homes, as voted on by Indianapolis Star readers.  For a cheap dose of Christmas spirit, pack the minivan with cookies, a thermos of hot chocolate and a passel of kids, then take a drive.

And if you want to enjoy looking at the lights and not at the road, several local limousine companies offer special packages for limo tours. Companies include: Carey Indiana Limousine, (317) 241-6700; Hoosier Connection Limousine, (317) 359-5466 and Advanced Limousines, (317) 716-1201.

This is by no means a definitive list, but it includes the most popular areas recommended by readers in an informal Indianapolis Star survey.

1. Village Farms, Westfield

This neighborhood has the cul-de-sac with the most nominations. There are more than 20,000 lights synced to music. It runs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on weekdays and from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on weekends.
» Located north of 146th Street off Spring Mill Road. Turn right onto Greyhound Pass, and Senate is the first left.

2. Harrison Park, Fishers

The main street into the neighborhood has several lighted homes, but 8440 Harrison Parkway stands out with its lit penguins.
» Neighborhood is on the east side of Allisonville Road, just north of Conner Prairie.

3. Princeton Park, Fishers

Several homes on Eaton Court; the house on the corner of Salem Drive and Eaton Court also has lights timed to music.
» Neighborhood is north of 106th Street on Eller Road. Entrance to neighborhood is Manchester Drive; turn at the first left, and then right onto Salem Drive.

4. Broad Ripple, Indianapolis

» The home is on the southwest corner of Broad Ripple Avenue (62nd Street) and the entrance to Broad Ripple Park. The owners of this display have been known to give out hot cocoa and cookies to onlookers.
» Gladden Drive: The award-winning houses are at 6027 and 6065 Gladden Drive. Located north of Kessler Boulevard and east of Meridian Street.
» 55th and New Jersey streets.
» 45th and Delaware streets.

5. Oakforge Woods, Indianapolis

Cul-de-sac is decorated in a Christmas Village style and is said to be unique.
» Located at 6042 Maple Forge Circle. Neighborhood is on the southeast corner of 59th Street and Georgetown Road. Take Oakforge Lane or Oakforge Drive. They both will lead you back to Maple Forge Circle.

6. Woodcreek Farms, Avon

Cul-de-sac on Walnut Creek Crossing.
» Neighborhood is on the north side of County Road 200 North, west of Dan Jones Road. Head north onto Woodcreek Drive and turn left at the first intersection.

7. Pheasant Run, Southwest Indianapolis

This light display twinkles from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. For more information, go to www.indychristmas.com » The neighborhood is on the south side of Mills Road between Mann and High School roads. Turn south into the neighborhood and go to Alcott Lane; turn right onto Raritan Drive and then left on Lippan Way.

8. Oak Meadows, Greenwood

Several homes are decorated on both sides of Averitt Road.
» Averitt Road between Main Street and Smith Valley Road.

9. Bel Moore, Southeast Indianapolis

This display runs from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. For more information, go to www.southsidechristmas.com
» Neighborhood is on the south side of Stop 11 Road, just east of Five Points Road.

10. Hogan Drive, Cumberland

House is at 2131 Hogan Drive, which is on the north side of 21st Street, between Mitthoefer and German Church roads.

 Source:  IndyStar.com

The conclusion of the first semester Dec. 19 will affect the schedule for Carmel Clay’s 15,173 students.

Carmel High School:  On December 18, students will take two tests and leave the building at 11:30 a.m.; Dec. 19, they will complete two final exams and be dismissed at 11:30 a.m.

Carmel, Clay and Creekside middle schools: Students at Carmel, Clay and Creekside middle schools will follow their usual schedule Dec. 18 but will not attend class Dec. 19, which will be a records day for their teachers.

Carmel, Cherry Tree, College Wood, Forest Dale, Mohawk Trails, Orchard Park, Prairie Trace, Smoky Row, Towne Meadow, West Clay and Woodbrook elementary schools: Students in the district’s 11 elementary schools will attend school at the normal times Dec. 18 but will be dismissed at 10:50 a.m. on Dec. 19.

The Carmel Clay Educational Services Center, 5201 E. 131st St., will be closed Dec. 24, Dec. 25, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 but will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the other weekdays during the two-week winter vacation.

School resumes for all students Jan. 5.

Type:  Traditional

Age:   Built in 1895

Location:   Muncie, near the Ball State Campus

Square footage:  2352 square feet

Rooms:   This home is separated into two units and has a one-car detached garage.  Unit A has four bedrooms and two baths on two levels.  Unit B has one bedroom and a full kitchen. 

Details:  This house is a Ball State University investment property typically rented to BSU students.  The owner can rent both units out for a total gross income of $1725 per month with an investment under $75,000.  It is located on Riverside which is a main road through Ball State University.  Due to the close proximity to the university, this home could add some stability to your investment portfolio.

Price:  $75,000

Type:  Ranch  

Age:   Built in 1976

Location:   Lebanon, IN

Neighborhood:   None

Square footage:  3048 with an additional 966 square feet in the unfinished upstairs loft

Rooms:   This four-bedroom home offers three-and-a-half baths, kitchen with breakfast room, office, sizable laundry room, family room, and formal dining and living rooms. 

Strengths:  This home sits on a two-acre wooded lot and has a three-car garage.  It is a great value for the square footage.  The upstairs loft can be finished and used as a fifth bedroom or studio.  It is a 30 minute drive to Lafayette and a 30 minute drive to downtown Indianapolis. 

Challenges:  Built in 1976, cosmetic updates would help to better position this home on the market.

WHAT’S IT WORTH?    255,000

Children’s Candy Cane Hunt

A wide variety of candy canes will be scattered throughout Central Park.  Keep your eyes open for those “prize” canes and few extra prizes scattered throughout. A special guest may also make an appearance!  This event will be held rain, snow or shine.  The Children’s Candy Cane Hunt will take place at noon Dec. 13 in Central Park, 1195 Central Park Drive West. This event is free to the public.

Fetch the Fruitcake

Bring your dog to our first Fetch the Fruit Cake!  If you enjoyed the Doggie Easter Egg Hunt, you will get a kick out of this. Dogs will sniff out bone-shaped fruitcakes along with other doggie treats.  There will be prizes awarded for those dogs that sniff out the “prize” cakes and treats! Dogs will be divided based on weight. All dogs are required to be on a leash at all times.  This event will be held outside rain, snow or shine. Fetch the Fruitcake will take place 12:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at Central Park, 1195 Central Park Drive West. This event is free to the public.

Grinch Scramble

Bring your family and join us at West Park for our first ever Grinch Scramble!  While searching for your candy canes keep your eyes peeled for the Grinch! Whoever finds the Grinch will win the grand prize. Make sure you look both high and low while you are hunting for the Grinch.

This is a sure hit for people looking for a challenge or a great family activity. There will be music, games and an area to create your very own coloring book! Do not forget your flashlights and bags to collect your candy canes! Grinch Scramble will take place at 7 p.m. Dec. 13 in West Park, 2700 W. 116th St. This event is free to the public.

For more information on any of the Candy Cane Hunts, please call (317) 848-7275.

Source:  Indystar.com

Carmel High School Football will play Center Grove for the Class 5A State Championship title.  The game takes place this Saturday, November 29^th at 7:05 p.m. at Lucas Oil Stadium. 

Their first meeting with Center Grove earlier this year resulted in a 33-32 victory for Carmel in the final minute.  Both teams finished with a 6-1 record in the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference.  Ben Davis was Carmel’s only loss.

For more information, click here.

Indianapolis area attractions are offering free admission and other freebies, one each day, during the 12 days leading up to Christmas.

On Saturday, Dec. 13, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum offers free admission to its collection of trophies and cars. On Sunday, Dec. 14, the President Benjamin Harrison Home shows off holiday decorations at the 1875 Italianate mansion, including a three-metre Christmas tree like the one the Harrisons had at the White House.

The freebies continue Monday to Friday of the following week. On Dec. 15, if you drop in to sample wines at any one of seven participating wineries on the Indy Wine Trail before 6 p.m., you’ll get a free wine glass to take home. Participating wineries include Buck Creek Winery, Chateau Thomas Winery (Plainfield), Easley Winery, Ferrin’s Fruit Winery (Carmel), Grape Inspirations Winery (Carmel), Mallow Run Winery (Bargersville), and Simmons Winery (Columbus).

On Dec. 16, the James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home offers an opportunity to see the poet’s home dressed up for the holidays. (Riley originated the story of Little Orphan Annie in one of his poems.) On Dec. 17, the Morris-Butler House, an 1865 landmark, shows off Victorian Christmas traditions. On Dec. 18, the Indianapolis Museum of Art and the historic Lilly House are both offering free admission, and on Dec. 19, the Indiana Historical Society offers a free look at a “Holidays in the Heartland” display.

On the eighth free day, Dec. 20, the Indiana Medical History Museum gives free tours, 1-3 p.m., of what it bills as “the nation’s oldest surviving pathology laboratory.” On Dec. 21, check out the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art for free, and on Dec. 22, take the kids on the “Santa Claus Express” train for free at the Indiana State Museum.

On Dec. 23, Indianapolis restaurants join the promotion, offering free desserts with purchase of an entree at restaurants including The Skyline Club (open to the public this day only with reservations); The Claddagh (234 S. Meridian St.); and Champions at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown among others.

On Christmas Eve, the final day of the 12 free days, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis offers free admission to visit Santa, a snow castle, a Yule Slide and other attractions.

Source:  USAToday.com/Associated Press

Type:  Traditional       

Age:   Built in 1991   

Location:   Near Washington Street and SR 40 outside of I-465

Neighborhood:   Glen Oaks Village is an east side subdivision with mature trees and pond views

Square footage:  3689

Rooms:   This four-bedroom home has a large remodeled kitchen with breakfast room, planning desk, new counter tops, and walk-in pantry, main floor office with built-ins, second floor bonus room with skylights and a fireplace, and expansive master suite with whirlpool tub. 

Strengths:  This home has an impressive curb appeal and professional landscaping.  The wooded backyard offers a wood deck, mature trees, gazebo and hot tub.  The quality of the school system is a draw for many people who live in this area.  The same home and lot in Hamilton County would be substantially more expensive.

Challenges:  The average price point in the township is more than $100,000 under this home’s price range.  This home has an abundance of space and no basement.

WHAT’S IT WORTH?    $325,000

Fishers and Carmel will have their community tree lightings this Saturday, the weekend before Thanksgiving.

Fishers:  6:30 to 8.p.m. Saturday. Town Hall, 1 Municipal Drive. Includes costumed Dickens carolers, music from the Fishers High School choirs and cookies and punch. Free. (317) 578-0700 or www.fisherschamber.com.

Carmel:  4:30 to 6:30.p.m. Saturday. 1 Civic Square. Lighting of the Giving Tree and holiday lights is at dusk or approximately 5:45 p.m. Jugglers, carolers, balloon artists, reindeer and other North Pole animals. Holiday entertainment provided by Clay Middle School Choir, Carmel Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet and Central Indiana Dance Ensemble. Refreshments provided by the CFD Auxiliary. First 400 children will receive goody bags. In event of rain, held at the Carmel Fire Department Headquarters Fire Bay. Bring unwrapped gifts, no plush toys, for the Gazebo Giving Tree. Free. (317) 571-2400.

Source:  IndyStar.com

Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard spoke to the largest crowd ever gathered for a State of the City address last week.  The speech outlined his vision for the city including a strong infrastructure, walking areas, public transportation, and a community unified with its downtown. 

Brainard, who was recently criticized for budget shortfalls on two major projects, would like to see more people walking instead of driving and would like to give families the option.  He would like to design Old Town in a way where people can walk or make short trips. 

Another initiative involves creating a public transportation system in a couple of years.  The plan outlines using shuttles from area hotels to Old Town and Clay Terrace and back.   He wants to keep drawing new businesses to the city’s center and thinks the added density would speed up the creation of a public transportation system.

For more information, click here.