Catch-all Corner: MLK March, antiques, city award, 2024 review, snow angels, controlled burns, affordable housing, the arts
Happenings around town
Photo by JACQUELINE BRANDWAYN on Unsplash
I’m still working on two posts I promised. I’m waiting on revenue-sharing information to finish the background on the agreement with Erie. The second is the history of the proposed project for the Tebo property at 287 and Arapahoe. In the meantime, other events are happening around town and the first one is tomorrow.
VASA FITNESS CLUB MEETING, THE NEW TENANT FOR THE OLD KING SOOPERS
An eagle-eyed reader let me know about a sign at Baseline and Crossing Drive. It says it’s a “health club/assembly” (whatever that is) at 10 am on January 9th. In the Lafayette Public Library.
OPEN HOUSE AT WILLOUGHBY CORNER
This is the Boulder County affordable housing project at Emma and 120th.
FROM BOULDER COUNTY
January 16, 2025, 2 - 6 p.m.
at the Willoughby Corner Community Building
933 Canterbury Drive, Lafayette, CO
See the property, tour an available home, learn about eligibility, and complete an application! We'll also have a raffle with prizes.
We're currently leasing Búho Place (for adults 55 and older) and our multi-family buildings for those who earn between 50% and 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI) or those with a Housing Choice Voucher (see the chart below for income limits). Rent ranges from $1,368 to $1,971, include all utilities, and don't require a credit check.
Saturday, Jan. 18, 10:30 am-2:30 pm.
Do you have an object you’ve inherited or thrifted, but aren’t sure how to take care of it or if you should even hang onto it? Bring it to our Know Your Antiques event to ask our experts! We’ll have evaluators present to review jewelry and watches, books, quilts, Asian art, and more.
Cost: $8/item for non-members; $5/item for members. Bulk pricing available.
MLK MARCH FOR PEACE
FROM THE CITY WEBSITE
Every year, the City of Lafayette honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a march and an event organized by the Lafayette Youth Advisory Board (LYAB).
MLK Mile March for Peace 2025
Monday, Jan. 20, 10:30am
View map route (PDF)
This is a fully accessible, one-mile march, starting at the Library, ending at the Bob L. Burger Recreation Center
The pre-march gathering will take place at the north end patio and lawn of the Library at 10am
March will begin at 10:30am at the north end of the building
Shuttles will be provided from the Recreation Center back to the Library
MLK Celebration 2025
Monday, Jan. 20, 11am
The rally will begin at 11am at the Bob L. Burger Recreation Center
Breakfast burritos and hot chocolate will be provided following the march
Speeches and performances from local youth
Performance by Moses Graytower and the American Spirit
Volunteer!
Teens ages 14-17: sign up to help. Earn up to four hours of volunteer service credit and be a part of a longstanding and meaningful community event!
Planning meeting (optional but strongly encouraged for anyone volunteering or interested in learning more): Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 6pm at the Library. (Food will be provided, and attendance earns credit hours.)
Registration is required, and opens Jan. 6 - learn about shift times and sign up
THE 2024 YEAR IN REVIEW, IT’S WORTH A LOOK
The city has been presenting year-in-review videos for a few years now. This year the video was made in-house rather than hiring an outside company. It’s the best one I’ve seen. The quality of the production is head and shoulders above past videos. We have a bilingual Emmy award-winning videographer in our communications department. Surprised? I know I was when I saw him introduced at a council meeting.
Sebastian Acevedo is Lafayette’s Bilingual Communications Coordinator. He is “an experienced communications professional who has previously worked for NBC Universal and Univision Television Network. Sebastian has a Bachelor of Science in Advertising, a Master of Arts in Cinematography, and is a three-time Emmy award-winning videographer.”
City of Lafayette wins APWA Colorado Chapter Award for environmental excellence
FROM THE CITY WEBSITE
The City of Lafayette’s Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) Improvements Project has been recognized as the Medium Community Environment Project of the Year by the Colorado Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA). The award celebrates outstanding achievements in environmental stewardship and public works innovation.
The WRF project, designed to meet growing community needs while addressing stringent nutrient regulations, incorporated cutting-edge technologies, such as advanced nutrient removal systems, sand filtration for phosphorus reduction, and energy-efficient equipment. Despite challenges like unstable soil conditions and unforeseen underground utilities, the project remained on schedule and budget, showcasing adaptability and collaboration.
The enhanced facility improves water quality in Coal Creek and supports Lafayette’s long-term goals for water reuse, conservation, and compliance with future regulations. The project’s success was made possible through extensive community engagement and innovative solutions, including the use of aggregate pier technology for soil stabilization and real-time control systems for peak operational efficiency.
The APWA Colorado Chapter formerly honored the City of Lafayette and the WRF project team during its annual awards ceremony. The achievement was also featured in the Colorado Public Works Journal’s fall edition.
CONTROLLED BURNS THROUGH MARCH 2025
FROM THE CITY WEBSITE
The Lafayette Fire Department, in conjunction with the Lafayette Parks, Recreation & Open Space Department, is planning to conduct annual controlled burns along South Boulder Canon Irrigation Ditch, Bullhead Ditch, and Indian Peaks Golf Course lakes from December 2024 through March 2025.
Questions can be directed to firedepartment@lafayetteco.gov. You can also sign up to be notified by email and/or text about controlled burns at https://www.lafayetteco.gov/newssignup
Controlled burns in irrigation ditches, also referred to as prescribed burns, are performed to remove unwanted vegetation to improve water conveyance, nutrient cycling, and planting success. As with all controlled burns, conditions must meet certain criteria for the event to take place. The controlled burns are contingent on ideal weather forecasts and conditions, including relative humidity, temperatures, fuel moisture, air quality, and wind. Fire personnel will reschedule or stop burning if weather conditions do not allow for a safe operation or the situation becomes unsafe.
SNOW ANGELS NEEDED
FROM THE SENIOR CENTER NEWSLETTER
Snow Removal Volunteers Needed
We invite you to join our exceptional Snow Angel program, which is dedicated to supporting older adults in our community with snow removal.
When winter arrives, many older adults are challenged by snowfall in maintaining their daily routines. Snow Angels play a crucial role by assisting these individuals in the community, allowing them to attend important doctor’s appointments, go grocery shopping, and more. The individuals paired with a Snow Angel Volunteer consistently express their deep appreciation for this invaluable support.
Learn more or sign up to volunteer
FROM THE SENIOR CENTER NEWSLETTER
CULTIVATE
Carry-out Caravan
This program connects community members with older adults who face the challenge of securing reliable grocery access. Friendly volunteers provide caring assistance throughout the ordering, purchasing, and delivering of groceries from their partner, King Soopers, straight to older adults' homes.
Clients are responsible for paying for their groceries with a credit or debit card, but volunteer-powered shopping and delivery are free.
YardBusters
Cultivate’s YardBusters connects with volunteers to assist with basic yard cleanup for seniors in Boulder County who are facing the challenge of maintaining their yards during the spring, summer, and fall months.
Fix-It
Cultivate’s Fix-It program connects volunteers with Boulder County seniors who face the challenge of maintaining their homes. Volunteers can perform home repairs, wheelchair/walker repairs, and grab bar installations.
Phone Buddies
Cultivate's PhoneBuddies program matches volunteers with seniors who want to build meaningful connections within their community by meeting new people and talking about things they enjoy. Our friendly, trained volunteers provide regularly scheduled social calls, wellness checks, or both in our new PhoneBuddies program. Sign up to be a volunteer or a client today!
If you want to know more about the services Cultivate provides or volunteer for them, please call 303-443-1933 or visit www.cultivate.ngo.
Home Hazmat Pick-Up
Do you have unwanted household hazardous materials like paints, batteries, and pesticides in your home but can’t get them to a proper disposal facility because of transportation challenges? If so, let Boulder County’s Home HazMat Pickup pilot program help. Staff will stop by your home to collect and transport this waste for proper disposal.
The Hazardous Materials Management Facility accepts hazardous waste from residents of Boulder County, the City and County of Broomfield, and the Town of Erie. To schedule your home pickup, email hazmatall@bouldercounty.org or call 720-564-2225.
FROM THE LAFAYETTE ARTS SOURCE NEWSLETTER
A Year on Coal Creek Trail
An exhibit of all seasons
City of Lafayette Arts & Cultural Resources Department is hosting an exhibit of artwork inspired by Coal Creek Trail throughout 2024. The exhibit features over 50 artworks inspired by the wildlife, landscape, and activities experienced along Coal Creek Trail. The collection represents a variety of styles and mediums by local artists of all abilities. A Year on Coal Creek Trail will exhibit at The Collective Community Arts Center from Jan. 23 – March 9, 2025. The Collective Community Arts Center, 201 N. Public Road For more details visit lafayetteco.gov/Collective.
Public Art Grant
Lafayette's Public Art Committee (PAC) is excited to announce the Public Art Grant for 2025.
The PAC's Public Art Grant supports permanent or temporary visual art projects in Lafayette's public spaces. One may apply as an individual or as a group or organization for this grant. This is a competitive grant, applications ranging from $1,500-$2,500 are preferred. Deadline to apply: February 5, 2025. For more information visit the Arts Grants page.
Want to offer more support? Awesome!