Good morning, Lawrence.

Community members joined local artist Dave Loewenstein and Nursery School students to nearly complete a colorful street mural at Seventh and Alabama following a weekend painting party.

The artwork features two turtles with bright shapes and critters — reflecting collaborative local design input — that honor the area near the Little Red Schoolhouse.

Local breweries faced challenges as popular spots closed and customer habits shifted—owners said they will seek new ways to attract customers.

Today the Lawrence school board will hold an open meeting at 6 p.m. to hear public comment on the 2025-26 budget that sets a slight tax increase; the board will also consider an esports program—costing between $7,994 and $10,394 the first year—and a 15-year tax rebate for a project to convert vacant land at East Ninth and Delaware into apartments with many affordable units. Board members and local representatives will review these proposals during public hearings before making final decisions.

All seven Lawrence school board candidates answered questions about school safety, diversity, and funding during a forum hosted by local groups on Sunday afternoon—three incumbents will face four challengers on November 4 in the general election.

Ken Lassman reported that a pair of yellow soldier beetles and a yellow cucumber beetle blended with the petals of a sawtooth sunflower in his weekly update; he explained that long-standing natural cycles shape life in Lawrence + inviting residents to notice nature's small wonders.

Food Business Start-Up Summit

8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. — One Riverfront Plaza Parking — Cost info not specified — Engage with fellow entrepreneurs in a hands-on retreat to tackle your food business challenges.

Vegetarian Lasagne & Wine Experience

4:30-9 p.m. — Pane e Vino Wine Bar & Academy — Reservations recommended — Savor layers of homemade vegetarian lasagne paired with exquisite wine flights in a delightful pop-up dining experience.

Kanimecon Lawrence - Anime & Game Fest

9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. — Douglas County Fairgrounds — Registration Required — Celebrate anime, tabletop games, and video games at this fan-run festival in Lawrence.

Pasta Night: Pesto alla Trapanese

4:30-9 p.m. — Pane e Vino Wine Bar & Academy — Reservations required for dinner — Savor house-made pasta with classic Sicilian pesto served on linguine.

Mdou Moctar Concert

7-9:30 p.m. — The Bottleneck — Cost not mentioned — Experience the unique sounds of Mdou Moctar in an intimate venue setting.

James Koan III Live Concert

7-9:30 p.m. — Studio 901 House Concert Series — Cost Info Not Provided — Experience a soulful evening with James Koan III's intimate live performance.

David Luther Live at The Oread Hotel

6-10 p.m. — The Oread Hotel — Cost info not provided — Enjoy an intimate solo acoustic performance in the historic Oread Hotel.

Orchard Nights Volunteer Experience

5:30-7:30 p.m. — Lawrence Community Orchard — Free entry — Discover and taste a variety of fruits while volunteering at the orchard.

Pasta Night: Pappardelle al Cinghiale

4:30-9 p.m. — Pane e Vino Wine Bar & Academy — Reservations required for dinner — Indulge in house-made pappardelle with authentic Tuscan wild boar ragú.

Alestorm Concert

7-8:30 p.m. — The Granada — $65-$225 — Celebrate the spirit of pirate metal with a lively performance from Alestorm.