This and that on a Friday, finally '10 Days to Christmas'

Development news on the horizon for LEAP? Holiday leftovers, still fresh, from Tim’s Picks? A traditional playing of ’10 Days to Christmas?’ You know it’s here.

• Thanks for help sponsorship help today from A Pinch of Pepper, a tea and spicery now open at 619 Columbia St., in the former Horner Building façade at Lafayette’s Public Safety Center.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND TO SHOP

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This and that, along with some Other Reads, on a Friday, as I try to catch up with stuff piled up in my notebook …

ON THE LEAP DISTRICT FRONT: For all the LEAP pipeline debate completists out there (you know who you are), Indianapolis Business Journal reporter Peter Blanchard had a look ahead to next Tuesday’s State Budget Committee meeting, where the Indiana Economic Development Corp. is expected to bring a nine-figure ask for projects across the state. From Blanchard’s report: “The IEDC is requesting $100 million in performance-based incentive grants for a company that plans to invest about $4.1 billion in an advanced manufacturing facility that would result in 2,700 jobs, according to the Dec. 19 agenda for the State Budget Committee. The agency also is asking for $80 million in incentives for a company that plans to put $3.1 billion into a facility that would create 800 new jobs, the agenda reads.” Whether those projects were aimed for the Limitless Exploration/Advanced Pace (LEAP) district – a 9,000-acre industrial park the IEDC is assembling for massive developments in Boone County – wasn’t clear in the State Budget Committee agenda. But Blanchard reported that the IEDC is also asking for $71.7 million to acquire roughly 750 acres of land that is already under option in the LEAP district “to support an estimated $800 million investment in the first phase of a company’s multibillion-dollar information technology center project.” LEAP, of course, is the pretext for an ongoing IEDC-funded study of aquifers in western Tippecanoe County to determine whether water can be tapped and shipped two counties over, via pipeline, to support industries in the water-scarce Lebanon area. Blanchard has more details here: “Indiana courting two advanced manufacturing projects valued at $7.2B.”

ICYMI, STILL IN PLAY ON AQUIFERS AND THE LEAP PIPELINE: Here’s a replay of a Based in Lafayette conversation with Purdue groundwater expert Marty Frisbee about IEDC’s hopes of using tens of millions of water daily from Tippecanoe County for LEAP projects. It’s a great primer as everyone gets up to speed on aquifers, development and more: “Purdue groundwater expert on LEAP pipeline: ‘I’m very skeptical.' IEDC promises to let university researchers review a study aimed at taking Tippecanoe Co. water. Purdue prof Marty Frisbee tells what it will take for the science to tell him any of it makes any sense.”

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LICENSE PLATE, NO GO: I’m a sucker for this list at the end of every year. Indianapolis’ WRTV has a roundup of license plate combos drivers asked and were told NOFNWAY by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Better luck next time, A55MANN. Here’s a way into the full list: “Indiana BMV rejects more than a thousand personalized license plates in 2023.”

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TIM’S PICKS: A TIME-OFF EDITION: Based in Lafayette’s things-to-do guy, Tim Brouk, told us in last week’s column that he would take a few weeks off for the holidays. (Cries of, “Where’s Tim?” came on cue Thursday morning. Hey, it’s good to be missed. But, no, your subscription did not lapse.) Which reminded me, the installment from last Thursday had great holiday bits that continue into this fresh weekend. Here’s recap of some of the best ideas, still in play, heading into this Greater Lafayette weekend:

• “A Christmas Story,” 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 15-16; 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette, 313 N. Fifth St., Lafayette — You’ve seen the movie. A lot. Every Christmas. Yes, it’s an American holiday classic but for a change, “A Christmas Story” should be experienced live, on-stage as performed by a stellar cast of Civic Theatre performers. $12-$24. Tickets.

• Sleighin’ the Holidays with The Big Swing Band, 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, Rat Pak Venue, 102 N. Third St., Lafayette — Dance into Christmas week by stepping to Lafayette’s own Big Swing Band. You’ll experience upbeat arrangements of holiday hits while twirling with your favorite dance partner (or one you might meet that night). And for an extra $2, give yourself an early gift by arriving early for swing dance lessons at 7 p.m. $15.

• Lafayette Symphony Orchestra Holiday Pops, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, Long Center for the Performing Arts, 111 N. Sixth St., Lafayette — Lafayette Symphony Orchestra will don their holiday apparel to present holiday selections old and new. Assistant conductor José Valencia will take the podium for this concert as the LSO will continue the search for its music director and conductor in 2024. In the meantime, enjoy the sonic holiday gifts that only the LSO can give. $8-$39. Tickets.

• Festival of Carols with Lafayette Master Chorale, 2 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, First Baptist Church, 411 N. Seventh St., Lafayette — ’Twill be the week before Christmas and there will be beautiful sounds stirring in downtown Lafayette when the Lafayette Master Chorale presents its holiday concert of Christmas carols and readings from local dignitaries and shakers. The singers will also be joined by its Children’s Choir, as well as brass and organ players. $10-$22. Tickets.

• Indiana Makers Market Holiday Pop-Up Shop, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, Wea Creek Orchard, 5618 S. Country Road 200 East, Lafayette — Give the gift of Hoosier art this holiday season when the artisans behind the Indiana Makers Market set up shop at Wea Creek Orchard for a bonus weekend.

• “Holidays at the Haan,” through Dec. 30, Haan Museum, 920 E. State St., Lafayette — The historic Haan Museum of Indiana Art has transformed into a holiday wonderland inside and out. Numerous Christmas trees, model trains and thousands of twinkling lights seasonally accentuate the museum’s beautiful and important collection of Indiana art. “Holidays at the Haan” will host numerous special events in December. Get tickets and daily schedules here.

• Holiday Art Show, through Dec. 20, The Arts Federation, 638 North St., Lafayette — The Arts Federation’s galleries are always filled with local artworks that are for sale. However, TAF’s annual Holiday Art Show puts affordability at a premium without sacrificing quality. Opening Friday, this show is part exhibit, part quality holiday shopping experience as numerous local artists will fill the spaces with paintings, drawings, sculptures, jewelry and more. The pieces make perfect gifts for grandma to grandson.

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AND FINALLY, IT’S A DEC. 15 TRADITION: Some people herald the coming of Christmas on Black Friday, minutes after the last scraps of Thanksgiving are tucked away for leftovers. Around here, it’s all about “10 Days to Christmas.” Lafayette native Flav Giorgini, co-founder of Lafayette punk royalty, Rattail Grenadier and Squirtgun, wrote this one for his kids a few years ago and recruited his brother, Mass, co-founder of Squirtgun and owner of the late, great Sonic Iguana Studio, and ex- and current members of Teen Idols and Ducking Punches for a video under the pop-punk Ho Ho Hootenanny tag. Let the countdown start with this new holiday classic. Click the picture below to get the season started.

‘10 Days to Christmas’

Thanks, again, for sponsorship help from A Pinch of Pepper, a tea and spicery now open at 619 Columbia St., in the former Horner Building façade at Lafayette’s Public Safety Center.

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.