Flooding

• Need to know: In 1962, the Red River flooded — causing an event that would come to be known as “The Great Flood of Clay City.”
• The event caused community members + government officials to begin advocating for the construction of a flood control dam.

The Dam

• Need to know: Congress approved the motion to build a dam + began to provide funding.
• Details: The $12-million dam was supposed to serve three major purposes:
  
  • Flood control
  • Water supply
  • Recreation
• Effects: If completed, the dam would have created a 2,100-acre lake that submerged two-thirds of The Red River Gorge underwater.

Voices of the Gorge

• Date: Nov. 18, 1967
• Need to know: Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, an adamant conservationist, led a group of hikers + journalists on a two-mile hike through the Clifty Wilderness portion of Red River Gorge — expressing his concern for the dam while hiking.
• Date: 1971
• Need to know: UK hired Wendell Berry, a local farmer + environmentalist, to write a book called “The Unforeseen Wilderness” to advocate for the preservation of the gorge.

Outcome

• In 1993, the Red River was entered into the National Wild and Scenic River system, preserving its natural beauty in its entirety.
• There is now an established hiking trail that passes right through the heart of the gorge. It’s called the “Douglas Trail” in honor of Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas.

• Kentucky Rising: A Benefit for Flood Relief & Recovery in Eastern KY | Tue., Oct. 11 | 7 p.m. | Virtual | $19.99 |Live stream the benefit concert from your own home — featuring Chris Stapleton, Tyler Childers + Dwight Yoakam.

• The Arcadian Wild | Wed., Oct. 12 | 7 p.m. | The Burl, 375 Thompson Rd, Lexington | $15 | This folk + bluegrass band blends vocal harmonies + string instruments to create a unique contemporary acoustic sound.

• Makerspace Open Studio | Thu., Oct. 13 | 1-6:30 p.m. | Eastside Branch, 3000 Blake James Drive, Lexington | Free | This event allows citizens to use equipment like 3D printers, pottery kilns, button makers + large format printers.

• EV Charging Community Educational Event | Fri., Oct. 14 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Amteck Headquarters, 1387 E. New Circle Rd., Lexington | Free | Test drive an electric vehicle at this educational event that features food, raffles, and games.
• Berea Celebration of Traditional Music 2022 | Fri., Oct. 14 | 7 p.m. | Loyal Jones Appalachian Center, 205 N Main St., Berea, KY | This festival showcases homemade, traditional Appalachian music that has been passed down from generation to generation.

• Lexington’s $20 Art Market | Sat., Oct. 15 | 4-8 p.m. | Greyline Station, 101 W. Loudon Ave., Lexington | This fifth annual market showcases local artists who are selling their work for $20. 🖼
• Cider Fest! | Sun., Oct. 16 | 12-6 p.m. | Wise Bird Cider Co, 1170 Manchester St., Ste. 140, Lexington | $30 | Enjoy the fall weather and celebrate locally-made cider with food, fun, and games.

• Baptist Health Lexington
• Wild Health
• UK HealthCare ^

• 76º | Mostly sunny | 5% chance of rain

• Election Day is on Tues., Nov. 8, just under a month away, and Secretary of State Michael Adams has suggested Kentucky might be short on volunteer poll workers. Apply to serve as a poll worker in Fayette County. 🗳 (WKYT)
• Today at 3 p.m., County Council will meet to discuss alternatives to vacuum leaf disposal. Because of these reasons, the city is exploring the following ideas — mowing, composting, yard waste bag collection + suspended yard waste fees. Watch the 3 p.m. Livestream. 🍂 (CivicLex)

• Wow, check out these really cool aerial images of Lexington from 1982 courtesy of the Lexington Herald-Leader. Downtown, New Circle Road, Alumni Drive — it’s all there, but it looks so different. (Lexington Herald-Leader)

• The historic Helm Place — a sizable southern estate that has ties to Mary Todd Lincoln‘s family — is up for sale. The home, which is located at 2650 Bowman Mill Rd., will be sold at a sealed-bid auction on Halloween, Mon., Oct. 31. 🏡 (Lexington Herald-Leader)

• Rock House Brewing is hosting a festive double feature on Wed., Oct. 12. The brewery is releasing a seasonal pumpkin beer + hosting “Hocus Pocus" trivia. Head to 119 Luigart Ct. on Wednesday sip your way into spooky season. 🎃
• Buffalo Trace has announced the release of six different Van Winkle Bourbon variants. The distillery also said that it will be bottling more Van Winkle than in years past. Check out the prices, flavor notes + details. 🥃 (The Bourbon Flight)

• UK is celebrating its 107th annual Homecoming this week with tons of events for students + alumni. This week will celebrate ‘what it means to be a Wildcat,’ all leading up to the homecoming football game against Mississippi State on Sat., Oct. 15. (UK NOW)

• Miles Osland — Director of Jazz Studies at UK — has been given the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award for Jazz Education by DownBeat Magazine. Congrats, Miles. Listen to this collaborative performance between UK + Henry Clay High School’s Jazz Ensembles. 🎺 (UK NOW)

• UK’s Department of Theatre and Dance is kicking off its 2022-2023 season this week with performances of “Radium Girls” at the Briggs Theatre, 465 Rose St., from Thurs., Oct. 13-Sun., Oct. 16. This show is a high-energy ensemble piece that tells the life-story of Grace Gryer. 🎭 (UK NOW)

• Brand new “Team Kentucky” license plates will be available to Kentuckians starting on Mon. Oct. 24. The design pays homage to the Commonwealth’s unity throughout the pandemic + natural disasters. Get yours at the Fayette County Clerk’s Office at 162 E. Main St. (WHAS11)

• Did you know you can set up shop in our online retail store? We’re looking to support local brands in our LEXtoday shop. We want to work with you. Send us an email to get started.

• D’Artagnan is a farm-to-table pioneer, serving top chefs + home cooks nationwide since 1985. Their small farms provide a wide range of high-quality meat — think: duck, organic poultry, grass-fed beef, heritage pork + more. And because they offer overnight delivery, everything stays super fresh (and super delicious). 🥩 *

• Fast-track those holiday shopping plans. For the first time, Amazon is hosting a second Prime Day with the Prime Early Access Sale running today, Oct. 11 and tomorrow, Oct. 12. Snag tech like earbuds or kitchen appliances at Black Friday prices — 45 days in advance.*

• Where: The Loudoun House, 209 Castlewood Dr.
• When: Wednesday-Saturday from 12-5 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Details: This gallery is a showcase of modern, contemporary art from across Central Kentucky + beyond — think out-of-the-box, eclectic, and provocative.