• Twenty-two Fayette County Public School (FCPS) students earned a perfect score on the ACT? That’s three times higher than the national average.
• FCPS students made up 6.5% of Kentucky’s entire student enrollment and 25% of the state’s highest achievers?
• FCPS students earned $118+ million in scholarships + were accepted into 176 different colleges?

Portrait of a graduate

• Academic preparedness
• Cultural competence
• Being equipped for the future
• College and career readiness
• Civic engagement

• More mental health services
• Extra-curricular + co-curricular activities
• Advance placement + international baccalaureate classes
• Dual credit courses through BCTCS
• Employee well-being

The Fayette Education Foundation

• Bright Ideas Grant (BIG)
• Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
• Toyota’s Driving Possibilities

• Stretch & Go: Stretching Class | Wednesday, Aug. 2 | 12-1 p.m. | Dunbar Community Center, 545 N. Upper St., Lexington | Free | All ages are welcome to stop by for a guided midday stretch.
• Bachata 101 | Wednesday, Aug. 2 | 6:15-7:05 p.m. | The Salsa Center Dance Studio, 817 Lane Allen Rd., Lexington | $15-$60 | Grab a partner and learn the fundamentals of this Latin dance style.

• Memphis by The Lexington Theatre Company | Thursday, Aug. 3-Sunday, Aug. 6 | 7:30 p.m. | Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St., Lexington | $50-$87 | This Tony Award-winning Broadway hit will take you back to the 1950s Memphis rock ‘n roll scene.

• Shaker Village Music on the Lawn | Friday, Aug. 4-Saturday, Aug. 5 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, 3501 Lexington Rd., Harrodsburg | Free | Venture out to historic Harrodsburg for an evening of live music, outdoor dining, and drinks around the fire pit.

• Community Garden Days | Saturday, Aug. 5 | 2-3 p.m. | William Wells Brown Community Center, 548 E. Sixth St., Lexington | Free | Join parks staff to learn all about planting and maintaining a garden.
• The Inaugural Lexington Unsung Heroes Ball | Saturday, Aug. 5 | 7-11 p.m. | The Longship Club at Kroger Field, 1540 University Dr., Lexington | $81.88 | Meet + celebrate seven unsung heroes that help make our city amazing.

• After about a year of waiting, we finally know what’s going in the old Newk’s spot on Richmond Rd. — El Jefe Mexican Grill. While the menu is still being developed, the owners said it will be open for lunch, dinner + takeout, and hopes to be ready for service in October. (Lexington Herald-Leader)

• Coffee + donut lovers rejoice, Lexington is getting another Dunkin’. One Holland CEO Gary Holland said he plans to open a Dunkin’ Donuts in the recently closed LaRosa’s at 2890 Richmond Rd. The drive-thru coffee chain could take over in March 2024. (Lexington Herald-Leader)

• The Lexington Humane Society has extended its Perfectly Imperfect Pet Art Fundraiser through this Friday, Aug. 4. For a $25 donation, a photo of your pet will be re-imagined into a unique piece of art.

• To commemorate six years of service, Black Soil KY will host 10 days of diverse + interactive programming during Black Soil Week. Kicking things off will be a Proclamation Day on Thursday, Aug. 17, followed by Historic Hamlet farm tours and cooking demos at Crave.

• To continue our discussion on wellness, and to help out Reader Robert W., we want to know, are there any local Tai Chi or Qigong groups that meet in Lexington? Let us know.

• Bites of the Bluegrass has added a new tour to its foodprint — the Distillery District. Learn bits of history while you sample selections of local cider, bourbon, German bites, and award-winning ice cream. See the schedule.

• Did you know continuous learning throughout life not only decreases isolation but also improves cognitive abilities? (Read: It keeps your brain active and healthy.) Pro tip: Try a OLLI at UK course to keep your mind engaged + active as you age. Registration for Fall courses opens today — learn more.*

• Have you seen the fresh look of the Kroger stores in Nicholasville and on Hartland Pkwy.? Celebrate the stores’ completed renovations with food + festivities at a Grand Reopening Breakfast being held at both locations on Thursday, Aug. 10 at 8 a.m. Pro tip: The first 100 people in line will receive a gift card.*

• Aviation safety and security
• Passenger travel and experience
• Runway capacity and air traffic
• Environment
• Parking and traffic circulation
• Corporate and private aviation

• Four Sigmatic’s organic protein powder is the ultimate smoothie booster. It contains 18 grams of protein and 1500 milligrams of adaptogens per serving — nourishing your mind + body.

• Searching for the perfect luggage set that’s both lightweight + durable? We love this set for its polycarbonate shell and quiet double spinner wheels.

• Slice and serve your favorite meats + cheeses on this sleek yet durable maple wood cutting board. Bonus: It’s preconditioned with beeswax, linseed, and lemon oil.

• It’s time to treat your fur baby with a product worth barking about. Check out the Martingale Collar in peach + gold from Major Darling.