About that giant LAFAYETTE at Riehle Plaza
Looks like your new holiday card backdrop is waiting in downtown.
Thanks today to sponsor Purdue Convocations, presenting Johnny Cash: The Official Concert Experience. TONIGHT. This official national tour brings songs and stories from the “Man in Black” to the stage in a way that audiences haven’t seen or heard before. With video of Johnny from episodes of The Johnny Cash TV Show projected on a screen above the stage, a live band and singers will accompany him in perfect sync. This concert experience will showcase iconic performances from the TV show and highlight the spirit of the legend by revisiting some of his memorable words and anecdotes. Cash will perform some of his biggest hits, including “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Ring of Fire,” and “I Walk the Line,” and share stories of people he met along the way whose causes he championed – the working man from all walks of life. Plus, onstage male and female singers will split vocal duties performing their own takes on Cash hits. The music never stops in this concert event! Tonight, Friday, Nov. 10 at Loeb Playhouse. Buy Tickets
Quick shout out to the United Way of Greater Lafayette, as it heads into the final push of its 2023 campaign, with a victory celebration scheduled for Nov. 16. Marking the United Way’s 100th campaign, new donors who pledge $100 or returning donors who increase a pledge by $100 qualify for the Century Club, which includes a discount card good at local businesses. For details and to give, click the link below.
ABOUT THAT GIANT LAFAYETTE SIGN AT RIEHLE PLAZA
What’s the deal with those giant letters spread across Riehle Plaza spelling out LAFAYETTE?
Installed this week near Second and Main Streets, the letters are a new feature in the city’s holiday array, set up and lighted each year in downtown Lafayette by volunteer crews from IBEW Local 668.
“Our holiday decorations, particularly our street decorations, were getting old and tired and we wanted to update them to better celebrate the holidays and our community,” Dennis Carson, Lafayette’s economic development director, said.
“The decorations out front at Riehle Plaza are new and will highlight the season and provide great photo and gathering opportunities for residents, organizations and visitors to post, share and distribute on social media, cards and more,” Carson said. “We thought they would be fun and a different addition to what we already have. We encourage everyone to come down and check them out.”
For what it’s worth, that was already happening Thursday night, when couples wandering over from Red Seven, Ritual and the Black Sparrow were taking turns posing for photos – sort of like they do at Purdue’s gateways on graduation weekend – with the Big Four Depot as a backdrop.
(Optional backdrop: The Tippecanoe County Courthouse, if you’re OK with it reading ETTEYAFAL.)
Carson said the letters, bookended by a giant red ornament and a lighted Christmas tree, won’t be permanent fixtures at Riehle Plaza.
“We might consider using them at other times or locations,” Carson said. “But we will bring them out to the plaza for the holidays.”
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OTHER READS …
Indiana Capital Chronicle reporter Casey Smith took a look at fundraising numbers for Brad Chambers, former Indiana secretary of commerce and now among the Republican candidates for governor. In particular, a fundraiser hosted by Michael Andretti, an IndyCar legend whose Andretti Autosports has received tax incentives and more from a Chambers-led Indiana Economic Development Corp. With all the IEDC watching going on around here – what with an ongoing study about taking water from Tippecanoe County to feed massive business development dreamed about at the LEAP district in Boone County – Smith’s report is one to read: “Chambers gets campaign boosts from past IEDC business associates. An upcoming fundraiser hosted by Michael Andretti is raising eyebrows.”
“The fight isn’t over in Indiana.” Indianapolis Star reporter Kayla Dwyer had a look at another lawsuit aimed at Indiana’s new, near-total abortion ban, this one filed Thursday in a Marion County court. Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the ACLU of Indiana and other others are challenging the law's health and life exception and the requirement that abortions be performed only in hospitals. More details here in Dwyer’s reporting: “Abortion providers sue Indiana over abortion law, again.”
AND, FINALLY … ICYMI, FOR YOUR WEEKEND: Here’s a replay of Tim’s Picks, five of the best ideas heading into your Greater Lafayette weekend. Click the link below for Based in Lafayette pal Tim Brouk’s suggestions.
Thanks to Purdue Convocations, presenting Johnny Cash: The Official Concert Experience, tonight, Friday, Nov. 10, at Loeb Playhouse. Get tickets here.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING BASED IN LAFAYETTE, AN INDEPENDENT, LOCAL REPORTING PROJECT. FREE AND FULL-RIDE SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS ARE READY FOR YOU HERE.
Tips, story ideas? I’m at davebangert1@gmail.com.
Now I will try to finish my point. The government has no right in making laws and bans regarding abortion. If you hate abortion then do not have one. You think you are saving a life; and yet you have lockjaw when it comes to regulating guns in any way= hypocrit! And where are you when it is time to help all the single mothers, who need child care, healthcare and proper housing? Nowhere to be found. You are just a bully imposing your will on another woman.
Glad someone is still fighting for women’s health. No man should have anything to say about a woman’s reproductive rights. We aren’t’ going to make him have one; although he should be forced to carry a live animal for 9 months, while it grows to 8 lbs. no we don’t want to be cruel to any puppy or kitten