Happy Friday, Lafayette!

We’re another day closer to actual warmish weather (hopefully). It’s the first official day of Spring after all.

With the warmer weather, it’s a great time to get outside. We will be having a Lafayette Lookout hike/walk in the very near future. Any suggestions for places to do this? You can reply to this email.

And oh yeah, the answer to Tuesday’s trivia was Fort Ouiatenon.

Here’s what’s in Friday’s edition:

P.S. If you attended Wednesday’s Dinner Club, thank you and I hope you had some fun! If you’re at all interested, the next one is April 22nd at 6:30 pm.

Bennett's Greenhouse is hosting a Plant Bingo Brunch this Saturday, March 21st from 11am to 1pm. Krystal Duran of PlantswithKrystal will lead 20 rounds of bingo, with plant trivia and care tips woven in throughout the event. Winners take home plant prizes.

Tickets ($25) include a free mimosa and the bingo itself is free to play. Brunch food will be available for purchase from The Homestead, and Thieme and Wagner Brewery is handling the mimosa bar.

Whether you've got a house full of plants or you're trying to keep your first one alive, this will be a laid-back way to spend a Saturday morning.

Here’s more info

When Tippecanoe County commissioners set out to build a new courthouse in 1880, residents drafted 45 pages of specifications. They wanted something "of permanent and durable character.” They were after a building worthy of the Star City of the West.

The construction kicked off in 1881, but the original contractor died before the first floor was finished. So, the project fell behind and had to be re-bid. $500,000 was the final cost for the courthouse by the time it was finished in 1884. This was about double the original estimate.

Some lore around the courthouse is that Mark Twain visited Lafayette in 1885 and offered his take: "Striking, striking indeed! It must have struck the taxpayers a mighty blow!"

At 212 feet tall with 100 columns, a 3,000-pound bell, and a 14-foot Goddess of Liberty crowning its dome, it remains one of Indiana's tallest historic courthouses. It is also one of Lafayette's most architecturally significant building.

Over 140 years later, the taxpayers sure got their money's worth.

As reported by Jillian Ellison at the Journal & Courier, small business owners along Main Street in downtown Lafayette are raising alarms over escalating commercial rent. Black Wax Records owner Brian Ropes, who recently launched a GoFundMe and listed his shop for sale, says he's been forced to choose between his mortgage and his store's rent after eight years downtown. A 3% annual escalation clause common in Main Street leases is at the heart of the issue. Flourish Studio and Classroom owner Amanda Kennedy saw her rent climb from $1,500 to $2,700/month, forcing her to relocate. DLBOA president Nolan Wilhite says the cycle prices out businesses roughly every five years. Mayor Roswarski acknowledged the tension, calling it a double-edged sword of successful revitalization. Read the full story at jconline.com.

Purdue vs Queens

3/20 | 7:35 pm tip-off (Game is on truTV)

Penn State at Purdue

3/20 | 4 pm first pitch (Game is on B1G+)

Penn State at Purdue

3/21 | 2 pm first pitch (Game is on B1G+)

Penn State at Purdue

3/22 | 1 pm first pitch (Game is on B1G+)

Valparaiso at Purdue

3/24 | 4 pm first pitch (Game is on B1G+)

Oregon at Purdue

3/20 | 5 pm first pitch (Game is on B1G+)

Oregon at Purdue

3/21 | 2 pm first pitch (Game is on B1G+)

Oregon at Purdue

3/22 | 1 pm first pitch (Game is on B1G+)

Friday

73🌡️48 | 🌤️ | 0% | 💨10 mph

Saturday

69🌡️41 | 🌤️ | 0% | 💨3 mph

Sunday

79🌡️54 | ⛈️ | 10% | 💨11 mph

Monday

49🌡️35 | 🌤️ | 0% | 💨9 mph

Tuesday

55🌡️32 | 🌤️ | 0% | 💨6 mph

Sweet Dreams…Mandy Barnett Sings Patsy Cline (Get Tickets)

Long Center for the Performing Arts | 7:30 pm

Kat & Co.

648 Bourbon & Cigar Lounge | 8 pm to 11 pm

The Vegan Cheese Lady Cafe 2nd Year Anniversary

The Vegan Cheese Lady Cafe | 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Just Littles Play Cafe Grand Opening

1227 Sagamore Parkway N Suite B | 8 am to 1 pm

Miami History, Culture, and Revitalization

Prophetstown State Park | 1 pm 

Plant Bingo Brunch (Get Tickets)

Bennett’s Greenhouse | 11 am to 1 pm

Science Saturday

Imagination Station | 10:30 am to 1 pm

Spring Equinox Market ($3 Ticket)

Bistro Atrium at the Lahr | 11 am to 5 pm

Purdue’s Bug Zoo

Tippecanoe County Public Library Wea Prairie Branch | 3 pm to 5 pm

Family Friendly Improv Comedy 

Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette | 7 pm

Spring Equinox Market ($3 Ticket)

Bistro Atrium at the Lahr | 11 am to 4 pm

Beginner Scientist Club: Lightning

Imagination Station | 12 pm to 3 pm

Purdue Varsity Glee Club Specialty Show

Fowler Hall | 7 pm to 8:30 pm

Spring Break Camp (March 23-March 27)

Imagination Station (Get Tickets) | 9 am to 3 pm

Thank you for taking the time to read this far! If you have any suggestions for stories, restaurants to try, events going on, or cool things people are doing in the community, send them over!

Enjoy the weekend,

Blake | Publisher, Lafayette Lookout