An uncanny icon on the big screen 🎞

A new film about a strange Kentucky story

This is the movie poster for the new film “Cocaine Bear” which will premiere in February 2023. | Poster courtesy of Brownstone Productions

Bears have been known to roam the Bluegrass from time to time. But there’s no bear more famous than Lexington’s very own “Cocaine Bear.”

And now, after already embedding himself into Kentucky pop culture, “Cocaine Bear” is finally being made into a feature-length film, set to be released in February 2023.

🐻 Film details

The film, titled “Cocaine Bear,” is directed by Elizabeth Banks — popular for her role as Effie Trinket in “The Hunger Games.” IMDB also shows that the film stars Ray Liotta, Keri Russell, and Alden Ehrenreich.

🐻 Plot

A former Lexington narcotics officer became a drug smuggler. He threw a bag of cocaine out of a plane while flying over Northern Georgia.

A bear ate the bag and consequently died from an overdose.

The bear’s body was preserved with taxidermy and eventually purchased by local Lexington retailer Kentucky for Kentucky.

This story was also documented in a book titled, “The Bluegrass Conspiracy.”

lex-bear-kentucky-for-kentucky — The taxidermy display of the real-life “Cocaine Bear” is always on display at Kentucky for Kentucky. | Photo by LEXtoday

We’ll keep you updated on the official release date, screening parties, and showtimes.

In the meantime, you can see the bear on display in its new habitat here in Lexington, located at 720 Bryan Ave.

Bluegrass Sotheby's International Realty

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Wednesday, Nov. 30

Bingo Tournament | Wednesday, Nov. 30 | 6-8 p.m. | Ethereal Brewing Company, 1224 Manchester St., Lexington | $2 | Enjoy local craft beer while supporting a good cause with a Bingo Tournament raising money for the Lexington Humane Society.

Thursday, Dec. 1

Lexington Legends Listening Session | Thursday, Dec. 1 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Online - Virtual | Free | The Lexington Legends’ new owner is hosting a series of listening sessions designed to seek public input about how the overall fan experience can be improved upon for future seasons.

Friday, Dec. 2

Makers Market | Friday, Dec. 2 | 12-6 p.m. | Transylvania University, 300 N. Broadway, Lexington | Free | Transylvania’s inaugural Makers Market will host local entrepreneurs, artists, bloggers, foodies, visionaries, and creatives.

Saturday, Dec. 3

Christmas Market at Michler’s | Saturday, Dec. 3 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Michler’s, 417 E. Maxwell St., Lexington | Free | Nibble on holiday pastries by the fire + shop from local artists and artisans while listening to the romantic sounds of the cello echo among the grounds of the Native Cafe.

Sunday, Dec. 4

Pentatonix | Sunday, Dec. 4 | 7 p.m. | Central Bank Center, 430 W. Vine St, Lexington | $25 | Get into the holiday spirit with this a cappella pop group, famous for their vocal renditions of seasonal classics.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Holiday day trip destination: Carmel Christkindlmarkt 🎄

A couple taking a selfie at the bustling Carmel Christkindlmarkt.

The market is open Thursdays 4-9 p.m. and Friday-Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. through Dec. 30 — parking + admission is free. | Photo provided by Carmel Christkindlmarkt

Feeling festive, Lexington? An authentic German Christmas market awaits you at the award-winning Carmel Christkindlmarkt.

While a flight to Germany is ~9 hours (and a hefty price tag) a visit to Carmel, IN is just a ~3 hour drive away. See why USA Today voted it Best Holiday Market — not once, but twice. Look forward to:

Unique market gifts
German sips and bites like Glühwein + mulled beer
Outdoor ice rink
German woodworking demonstrations
The old-world charm of Christmas in Germany.*

SEE THE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Weather

47º | Partly cloudy | 9% chance of rain

Real Estate

The number of homes being sold in Central Kentucky has finally slowed, down 24% since October 2021. Higher interest rates are one of the primary factors affecting this decrease in sales. However, this has not lowered the cost of housing. The average price is up 4% compared to last year. 🏠 (Lexington Herald-Leader)

Pets

The Woodford Humane Society announced it will be waiving its adoption fees for its Adoption Drive, being held from Thurs., Dec. 1 to Sun., Dec. 23. Interested adopters need to schedule an appointment before planning to visit. Take a peek at the fur babies available for adoption. 🐶

Kids

We all know the lyrics to that famous holiday song — “Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again.” Fayette County Public Schools winter break will be here before you know it + Explorium of Lexington is currently offering camps for kids throughout the holidays. Check them out if you need an extra hand during winter break.

Listen

The UK School of Music will be hosting three different concerts to help get you into the holiday spirit this season. Additionally, each concert will be a different genre — choir, opera + jazz. 🎶 (UK NOW)
UK HealthCare also has a whole month of live performances — including opera, cello, and the harp — scheduled at its facilities across Lexington. All 68 performances are free + open to the public. (UK NOW)

Sports

Dane Key — Lexington native and wide receiver for UK football — set a school record this season for receiving touchdowns by a freshman. Key is a graduate of Frederick Douglass High School. Thanks for keeping your talents in the Bluegrass, Dane. 🏈
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) announced future basketball challenges with the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Both the men’s and women’s UK basketball teams will see more action against big-name schools like Duke, North Carolina, and Virginia with the formation of the ACC/SEC Challenge beginning in 2023-2024. 🏀 (LEX 18)

DYK

WealthSouth has Kentucky roots dating back 100+ years? In the last decade, WealthSouth has grown to be one of the largest locally operated firms in the Bluegrass. Learn about financial planning, how inflation impacts investments, what you should be asking your financial advisor + more.*

Announced

Take your love for LEXtoday to the next level by joining our new membership program. Support local journalism while enjoying perks like: exclusive birthday deals, shoutouts on our member wall, discounts from our online shop (Six & Main) + more. 🎉

Seasonal

We’re all about staying warm throughout the colder months, which means we’re leveling up our typical outerwear to something a little toastier. Enter: heated jackets. We love this one for its three different heat levels and this slim fit option with 5,000+ fivestar reviews.*

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Turnover on downs 🏈

Changes to UK football staffing

Coach Scangarello chats with UK’s quarterback Will Levis. | Photo by Jacob Noger, UK Football

The 2022 college football season was one of ups and downs for the Wildcats.

At the beginning of the year, the Cats were ranked as high as No. 7 in the Associated Press Poll, the highest ranking for the team in 25 years.

Mid-season, however, saw the Cats fall from those rankings, from No. 7 to No. 17, to No. 24 — eventually finishing the season unranked with an overall record of 7-5.

And now that regular season play has finished, it seems the Cats will begin to rethink their offense during the offseason.

Since the conclusion of Saturday’s win over the Louisville Cardinals, the school has parted ways with two different coaches — Rich Scangarello, the team’s offensive coordinator, and John Settle, the running backs coach/co-special teams coordinator.

It’s still not clear who will replace these two during Kentucky’s potential bowl game or next season.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Aaron.

Editor’s pick: It’s shaping up to be a fun + festive weekend here in Lex.

I can’t wait to coach my son’s basketball game on Saturday and then head to the Holiday Market at Michler’s.

And Sunday? Of course I’m posting up somewhere to watch the Cats take on the Michigan Wolverines.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Check out a few of our favorite seasonal events, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Aaron Mikel, Molly Thompson, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Marin Fiske | Advertise with us.

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