Catch-all Corner: 2025 farmers market, Halloween costume exchange, solar switch, fiber construction, singing group, Meals on Wheels, Library turns 100, Lafayette Reads
What's happening around town
Photo by JACQUELINE BRANDWAYN on Unsplash
FARMERS MARKET TO BEGIN IN MAY 2025?
I think this will get quite a few people happy dancing.
At the September 3 City Council meeting Economic Development Director Keating will introduce Margo and Peter Wanberg, the owners of the Denver City Park Farmers Market. The Wanbergs will speak about their current market and present their concept for Lafayette. They want to expand their farmers market to Lafayette on Sundays beginning in May 2025. The goodies they plan to offer are farm produce, protein and dairy, specialty foods, baked goods, beverages, plants and garden, spirits, natural bath and body, and food trucks. The city will sponsor the event.
Want to let the council know you support this? Send a message here and check the box for Urban Renewal Executive Director to include Director Keating.
EDITED TO ADD:
I reached out to Director Keating after I hit send and asked about the potential location for the market. Here is her reply.
“Hi Karen,
Thanks for reaching out! We are really excited about this new partnership and bringing such a high-caliber Farmers Market to Lafayette. The seasonal Farmers Market will be located on Public Road on Sundays from 8am - 1pm (May - Oct). In the past, hosting the market on East Simpson Street raised concerns about long-term viability and visibility. To address these issues, we are exploring the possibility of setting up on Public Road between Geneseo and Cleveland Streets. The exact layout will be finalized through the Community Event Permit process.
This section of Public Road is home to several businesses that synergize well with the Farmers Market, including some that are closed on Sundays. We also will have the new pocket park between Vintrey and Ghostbox, which will be coming online next year!
We understand that closing a portion of Public Road on Sunday mornings and early afternoons may require some adjustments, but we are confident that traffic for Flatirons Church can be easily redirected via Highway 287 and South Boulder Road.
Thanks!
Brigid Keating (She/Her)
Economic Development Director
Executive Director of the Lafayette Urban Renewal Authority
City of Lafayette | Economic Development
Office 303-661-1224 |Cell 303-435-6489”
In July I wrote about the new gathering space at Vintrey
HALLOWEEN COSTUME EXCHANGE - DONATION
From the city website:
For the month of September, we will be collecting good-condition, clean Halloween costumes for all ages. Costumes will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at Ecotoberfest on October 5th. Whether you have some great outgrown costumes to donate or are hoping to pick up a new look, you can help us give costumes new life!
Please bring your costumes to the Halloween Exchange drop off boxes from September 1-30 at one of the following locations:
Erie Community Center - 450 Powers St, Erie
Lafayette Public Library - 776 W. Baseline Rd, Lafayette
Louisville Public Library - 951 Spruce St, Louisville
Superior Community Center - 1500 Coalton Rd., Superior
Thanks for helping create healthy, resilient, and sustainable communities in Boulder County this spooky season!
SOLAR SWITCH
From the city website:
Enhanced Solar Co-Op Kick Off
Friday, August 30, 2024 (sorry I am last minute with this)
This fall, Boulder County residents, along with those from the Cities of Lafayette, Longmont, Louisville, and the Towns of Superior and Erie, can join Solar Switch Boulder County, a solar group purchasing program in partnership with Solar United Neighbors (SUN). This enhanced solar co-op offers a hassle-free way to install high-quality solar panels and optional battery storage at competitive prices.
Solar Switch allows property owners to leverage their collective buying power to save money on rooftop solar installations. Members can receive discounted prices and quality installations while signing individual contracts tailored to their specific needs. A solar company will be selected to complete the installations through a competitive bidding process facilitated by SUN.
There's no obligation to purchase if you sign up, making it an incredible opportunity to explore solar energy solutions for your home with the support of a trusted community initiative.
Join the program at Solar Switch Home
Boulder County Solar Switch 101
Friday, August 30
6:00 - 7:30 pm
Lafayette Public Library
You can also attend virtually: Zoom Registration
CONSTRUCTION HAS BEGUN ON THE NEW FIBER NETWORK
I reported on this in May. 76 miles of fiber optic cable is coming. What do you get? Intrepid’s website has a map that shows what’s planned in your neighborhood.
From a post on July 29 on the city’s website
“As part of the project, Intrepid will be working in the right of way throughout various Lafayette neighborhoods. Over the next few weeks, Lafayette residents will be notified of any work by lawn signs and door hangers. Residents can also anticipate the following as Intrepid begins its construction:
Preliminary survey – Before construction, crews will conduct thorough area surveys, mark utility locations, and communicate with residents through door-knocking and door hangers.
During the installation phase, crews will prioritize community safety and minimize disruption while installing fiber along designated routes, using either existing utility poles or underground conduits.
Restoring landscaping to its former or improved state is essential during construction. Crews will provide watering instructions to nurture any new seed or sod.”
LOOKING TO BE PART OF A SINGING GROUP?
I remember folks on Nextdoor wishing there was a singing group in town. It looks like there is one in the works at the senior center.
“NEW! Singing Group "If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out" - Yusuf / Cat Stevens
We would like to offer a singing group at the Lafayette Senior Center. If you are interested, please contact Colleen Puceta at colleen.puceta@lafayetteco.gov”
COAL CREEK MEALS ON WHEELS
Coal Creek Café and Meals on Wheels
Could you or someone you know benefit from Coal Creek Meals on Wheels (CCMOW)?
CCMOW offers the following programs to provide community members with daily, hot, nutritious meals and related support services:
The Meal Delivery Program mobilizes volunteers to deliver delicious, made-from-scratch meals to clients Monday through Friday, plus two frozen meals for the weekend.
Coal Creek Café, located at the Josephine Commons Housing Development, serves meals Monday-Friday from 11:30am-12:30 pm. This program creates opportunities for guests to socialize with friends and neighbors while enjoying our delicious daily offerings.
Plates for Pets clients receive pet food (for their cats, dogs, fish, birds, and rodents) and meal delivery on the last Monday of each month.
Project Homecoming clients receive five free home-delivered meals after returning from a hospital stay, regardless of their age and income.
For more information about CCMOW's programs and program costs or to sign up to receive meals, please visit coalcreekmow.org, call (303) 665-0566, or apply online.
THE LAFAYETTE LIBRARY TURNS 100!
A short stroll down memory lane.
When I moved to Lafayette in the 1980’s the library was in the front of city hall where the lobby is now. It was tiny.
The police department was also in city hall, you turned right at the finance counter and went down the hall.
The fire station was in what is now the WOW museum (the city still owns the building) and was all volunteer. When there was a fire sirens would go off across the neighborhood.
There was no recreation center, the current location was the City Park.
If you’re interested in Lafayette’s history check out Doug Conarroe’s website. This page about Petey the Ice Man is a fun read. His house, built in the 1890s, still stands in Old Town today.
FROM THE LIBRARY NEWSLETTER
CENTENNIAL BOOKMARK CONTEST
The submissions are in! Over 80 community members submitted their unique bookmark designs and it's time for the judges - you! - to vote. Help us celebrate our 100th birthday: vote for your three favorites in each of six age categories. Winners will be announced at Mini-Con Sept. 21! Vote now through Wednesday, Sept. 4
LAFAYETTE READS
Meet author Sy Montgomery, Monday, Oct. 7, 6:30 pm
The Lafayette Library is pleased to announce our annual Lafayette Reads community read - we all read the same book together! Lafayette Reads is part of the Lafayette Learns enrichment series.
Read the book, "The Hawk's Way: Encounters with Fierce Beauty" along with other community members now through Sept. 30, participate in an online reading challenge for a chance to win a free book by the author, and meet the author Sy Montgomery on Monday, Oct. 7, 6:30 pm! Start by checking out the book, and head to lafayetteco.gov/LafayetteReads for all the details.
SECOND ANNUAL LAFAYETTE MINI-CON
Second Annual Lafayette Mini-Con, Saturday, Sept. 21, 10am-5pm
Pop Culture Classroom and The Friends of the Lafayette Library are excited to bring you another year of science experiences, cosplays, crafts, games, storytimes, and so much more! This free all-ages event offers a tiny taste of what a large comic convention provides. Check out lafayetteco.gov/Mini-Con in September for a detailed list of what to expect!
OLDER ADULT RESOURCE FAIR
Check out the wide variety of presentations on the agenda for this event.
Older adults or parents, caregivers, and neighbors of older adults are invited to attend a resource fair at the Lafayette Recreation Center on Sept. 20 from 9 am-noon. Learn about programs and resources to help you and your loved ones age with health and safety. Engage with informational speakers, discover community resources, and enjoy a light breakfast. Registration is suggested.
Want to offer more support? Awesome!