The return of Tim's Picks ... and more
The return of Tim's Picks, with things for your weekend. Why they're cutting trees and moving dirt along Sagamore Parkway in West Lafayette. Mike Braun enters mix for governor. And more.
Thanks to sponsors of today’s Based in Lafayette edition:
Starting with Wintek. The Greater Lafayette area has counted on Purdue Federal Credit Union for financial security for decades. Purdue Federal counts on Wintek for technological innovation. Wintek offers customized and comprehensive solutions for businesses of all sizes. Purdue Federal is just one local institution with whom Tipmont Wintek enjoys a mutually beneficial partnership. Learn more about Wintek Business Solutions.
And Purdue University, with a reminder that it takes tolerance and free speech very seriously, believing that responsible debate and deliberation are essential parts of the university’s educational mission. As a national leader on this topic, Purdue will host a panel discussion at 6 p.m. Dec. 5 in Stewart Center’s Fowler Hall focused on the vital role that open debate and civil discourse play in advancing a healthy campus culture of learning. Click the link below to learn more.
Let’s start here …
By Tim Brouk / For Based in Lafayette
Back after a short Thanksgiving break, five choice ideas for your weekend in Lafayette/West Lafayette.
TAF Holiday Art Sale opening reception, 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, The Arts Federation, 638 North St., Lafayette — Give the gift of local art this holiday season. One one-stop shop for this will be The Arts Federation, which will feature for-sale works in most every medium imaginable through Dec. 16. From Sarah Antonio to Jen Weaver, more than 40 artists’ pieces will be available. Mixed in the artful merriment are programs like a holiday star ornament weaving workshop at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, and a Holiday Family CRAFTernoon at 1 p.m. Dec. 10.
Crusadist and Cadaverous, 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, North End Pub, 2100 Elmwood Ave., Lafayette — Silent nights in December? Not while The Doom Room is around. Two of the region’s finest death metal bands will get your holiday headbanging off to a thrashing and bashing start. Crusadist’s flavor of sonic assault blends in classic thrash metal within its blackened death metal. The Chicago band’s 2019 record, “The Unholy Grail,” runneths over with deadly riffs. Cadaverous emerges from Indianapolis on the strength of the trio’s new album, “Remnants of Violence.” With tracks like “Burnt Remains,” “Bludgeoned” and “Rot in the Crypt,” the record would make a great stocking stuffer for your favorite metal head. As The Doom Room screams from its slay every year, “‘Tis the season for BRUTALITY!” $10.
Christmas Parade, 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, downtown Lafayette — The area’s biggest parade will snake along Main Street fortified by local marching bands, floats by local businesses and organizations, and, of course, Santa Claus. Rain, sleet, snow, high winds, wintry mix or shine, the annual Christmas Parade is Lafayette’s real kickoff to the holidays and a perfect way to get into the spirit. And to quote Marge Simpson, “Parades just bring out so many emotions in me — joy, excitement, looking.”
One Size Fits All Improv, 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, Civic Theatre, 313 N. Fifth St., Lafayette — Can I have a name for a Lafayette improv comedy troupe? One Size Fits All! What about a setting? Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette! What should they be doing there? Putting on an original, family-friendly, holiday-themed comedy show based on suggestions from the audience! Does this sound like a hilarious and awesome good time? YES! Pay what you can.
NightFreak with Grimey and YardSale, 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, Spot Tavern, 409 S. Fourth St., Lafayette — Punk rock returns to Lafayette in the form of a triple threat that will satisfy fans of the loud, fast and snotty. With songs like “You’re Gonna Die” and “Shooting Bricks,” Chicago’s Night Freak’s bleak outlook is balanced by fiery guitar and tight bass lines. The trio will be joined by Indianapolis garage punk band Grimey and Lafayette’s own drunk punks YardSale. $10.
And now, back to your regularly scheduled report …
TRAIL WORK ALONG SAGAMORE PARKWAY IN WEST LAFAYETTE: Several of you have asked about the tree work and dirt-moving happening along the north side of Sagamore Parkway in West Lafayette. Here’s the deal: That the prep work for an extension of the city’s trail system to the Sagamore Parkway bridge over the Wabash River.
The city approved the $4.9 million project earlier this year. A 10-foot-wide section of the West Lafayette trail is designed to run from Happy Hollow Road/Soldiers Home Road along the north side of Sagamore Parkway, eventually looping under the bridge spans and join the trail built along the eastbound lanes heading into Lafayette. There, the trail will connect with the Wabash Heritage Trail running along the river, connecting with downtown Lafayette and Battle Ground on the Lafayette side.
The project also will connect with trails along Happy Hollow Road to the south and to the Nighthawk trail to the west, Chris Gmyrek, with the city’s engineering department, said. The trail in West Lafayette eventually will connect with a trailhead, with a parking area and canoe/kayak launch on the Wabash, along North River Road.
Work is expected to be done by fall 2023, Gmyrek said.
OTHER READS
Sen. Mike Braun filed paperwork this week for a run for governor in 2024, as Gov. Eric Holcomb heads into the last two years of his final term. Indiana Capital Chronicle reporter Whitney Downard had a look at Braun’s early, but long-rumored entry into the race for the Republican nomination in this story, up Wednesday.
Indianapolis Star reporter Shari Rudavsky had this, about Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita doubling down, again, against Dr. Caitlin Bernard, asking the Indiana Medical Licensing Board to look into whether she violated professional standards when she provided an abortion to a 10-year-old from Ohio after the procedure was outlawed in that state. Rokita wants the board to look into whether Bernard got cross ways when she told reporters about the situation this summer. This is the latest attempt by Rokita to call out Bernard after a case that gained national attention in the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade. Here’s the full account: “AG Rokita claims Bernard violated law, asks state Medical Licensing Board to investigate.”
From AP reporter Tom Davies, a federal appeals court this week reinstated an Indiana law from 2016 that requires abortion clinics to either bury or cremate fetal remains. From Davies’ story: “The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling released Monday overturns an Indiana judge’s decision in September that the law infringed upon the religious and free speech rights of people who do not believe aborted fetuses deserve the same treatment as deceased people.” Rokita’s office issued a statement that included this: “The appellate court’s decision is a win for basic decency.” Here’s a link to the full AP account.
MODERNA BOOSTER RETURNS TO COUNTY COVID CLINIC: For those with a COVID booster preference, the Moderna bi-valent vaccine was back in stock at the Tippecanoe County Health Department’s clinic. The health department reported that it had received 400 doses, available starting Thursday. The clinic also has Pfizer versions of the vaccine.
According to the health department, the Pfizer bi-valent booster can be given to ages 5-plus, and Moderna bi-valent has recently received an emergency use authorization for ages 6-plus. Both require a minimum of two months since the last dose or booster was received.
Hours at the clinic at 1950 S. 18th St. (in the former YMCA): noon-5 p.m. Thursdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays.
Meanwhile, Indianapolis Star reporter Shari Rudasky this week had a story that showed the booster rate in Indiana. The upshot: It’s low. From her story: “To date, nationally just more than 10% of people eligible to get the booster — a category that includes anyone ages 5 and above — have done so, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Protection. In Indiana, only a little under 9% of people eligible to receive the booster have had it, according to the Indiana Department of Health.” For her full account, here’s a link: “COVID-19 bivalent booster rates are dismal in Indiana. Here's why.”
AND THEN THIS HAPPENED …: After news that Purdue quarterback Aiden O’Connell’s brother, Sean, died last week, this was the response by some fans at Michigan ahead of the Big Ten Championship game Saturday.
The Boilermaker Alliance, a nonprofit that works name/image/likeness deals for Purdue athletes, posted Wednesday that the money, $16 at a time, would go to a charity of the O’Connell family’s choice.
Thanks to Wintek and Purdue University for their support of today’s edition.
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Tips or story ideas? I’m at davebangert1@gmail.com. Also on Twitter and Instagram.
Mr. Braun voted against the Respect for Marriage Act. Because he does not respect my marriage, I find him not qualified to be governor.
Braun is an insufferable idiot.
Rokita is an insufferable idiot.
That trail from the river up to Soldier's Home road is gonna be a very challenging climb. I'm looking forward to doing hill reps there on my bike.