The Baldwin Beacon, Vol. 42
thunder only happens when it's raining, and other important matters
On the threshold
May is a month of transition — spring turning into summer, buds turning into leaves and flowers, outdoor projects changing from planning to reality, and school finishing up the last busy weeks. This sort of looming change is the very definition of liminality: a place between two spaces, such as a threshold, a curtain, a breath between songs.
Here’s your look at what’s happening in Baldwin City this month and beyond, and some information tools that might make your life a bit easier.
Thunder only happens when it’s… Car Show Time!
Next weekend, the Recreation Commission’s classic car show is revving back into downtown for the third year. Plan for very limited downtown parking on Saturday the 10th, and definitely plan not to drive through the area. You might also do a quick little rain ceremony to keep the drops away!
From Matt McClure, Baldwin City Recreation Commission Director:
Baldwin City Recreation Commission will be hosting the 3rd Annual Thunder on the Bricks car show on Saturday, May 10th on the streets of downtown Baldwin City.
Due to the show, High Street from 9th to 6th will be closed beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 10th. 8th Street from The Bullpen to Grove St. will be closed. 7th Street from the alley behind the Library to Grove St. will be closed. This means no parking and no through traffic will be allowed after 6:00 a.m. on Saturday on these streets. The blocked streets will open back up at approximately 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 10th.
NOTE: The Tree Board’s annual Tree Giveaway will take place in front of the Library from 8am-11am, during Thunder on the Bricks. Parking will be very limited for this event, so please plan to attend early if possible.
News & Notes
Power & Light Update: Tree on Main Line Into Town
Baldwin City power crews were notified of a large tree on the main feed into town the morning of April 29th. Removing the tree required disconnecting from the external grid and utilizing internal generation from the City power plant while the tree was cut off of the line.
City Lake Maintenance Work
Culverts under the road allowing access to the east side of the City Lake collapsed in March, necessitating culvert replacement. The road was reopened to traffic on April 10th.
Lake Advisory Committee
Speaking of the City Lake, the Mayor plans to appoint an advisory committee at the May 6th City Council meeting. This committee will be tasked with looking at long term plans for the lake, and was chosen from individuals who applied to serve as volunteers.
Updated City Website
More City news is available on the City website, which recently received a thorough spring cleaning and a number of updates. There are still a few bugs we’re working out, and new features coming soon. Feel free to email us with any suggestions or if something doesn’t work for you.
Some new features we hope you’ll find helpful include:
A trash and recycling info page
An updated and improved City Council portal
Better organization of documents, for improved access and transparency
Speaking of trash and recycling, grab your easy reference guide below, or print one here!
Growing like a weed
There are all kinds of construction projects taking place all over town, and more starting very soon. Of course there are the three new housing developments, and there are a number of road construction projects in the works. We don’t have official start dates for any of the road works yet, but we’ll keep you posted.
Text and email notifications when new events, news articles, or public alerts are posted to the City website will be available very soon. If you’d like to sign up now, you can do that from the button below.
The USD 348 Site Plan for the new parking and CTE building is in its final stage, and is on the Council agenda for May 6th. You may access the Council agenda and all other Council documents on the new Council webpage. Work is set to begin very soon after school is out. Follow the School District on Facebook, or keep an eye on their Bond Page for updates and more information.
Citywide Yardsale, June 7
Hosted by The Maple this year, there’s some new excitement around the Citywide Yard Sale! Get your free listing in the guide here, and check out all the activity on The Maple’s page.
Citywide Cleanup, June 14
Citywide Cleanup returns Saturday, June 14th, from 8am until 2pm at 1015 Orange Street. Get all the information on what’s allowed and what’s not here.
Everything everywhere all at once
Here’s your semi-official list of what’s coming up this year.
Saturday Morning Farmer’s Market — 8-11am every Saturday all summer (contact Ashley Hornberger for info)
Third Friday Markets — June 20, July 18, August 15, September 19 (Chamber)
Sundays at 6 Summer Concert Series — June 8, July 13, August 3 (BCRC)
May 17, BHS Graduation
May 21, Sundae Funday: Ice Cream Social (The Maple)
May 30, Chamber Golf Tournament
June 7, Citywide Yardsale — register your sale! (The Maple)
June 6-8, Friends of the Library Book Sale (Library)
June 7, Touch a Truck (Library)
June 14, Citywide Cleanup (City)
June 20, Third Friday Market (Chamber)
July 5, Independence Day Celebration (BCRC + City)
July 18, Third Friday Market (Chamber)
August 8-9, Smoke on the Bricks
September 20, Big Hair on the Square (City + BCRC)
October 18-19, Maple Leaf Festival
October 25, Maple Leaf Gravel Grind (BCRC)
October 25, Maple Leaf Beer, Wine & Spirit (BCRC)
October 31, Hometown Halloween