Plus, CivicLex named a community partner of UK
 
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Men in Kilts

Today’s Forecast

92º | Partly cloudy | 7% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:59 a.m. | Sunset 8:21 p.m.
 

Wide open spaces

Share your thoughts, hopes, and dreams for green space with Lexington Park Equity Accelerator
Two people walking through a floral and tree-lined path.
Take a hike at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary. | Photo courtesy of Lexington Parks & Recreation
Do you have an idea of what you’d like to see at our local parks? Well, now is your opportunity to have your voice heard when it comes to park projects. Beginning today, applications are open for Fayette County residents — of all ages — to submit a proposal for the Lexington Park Equity Accelerator (LPEA).

About the accelerator

In 2021, the city announced it would be joining the 10-Minute Walk Campaign — meaning 100% of Lexington residents would live within a 10-minute walk to a park or green space by 2050. The LPEA was created to help facilitate that goal.

LPEA is one of six programs supported nationally by the Trust for Public Land, which has given the project a $182,000 grant. An equivalent amount of in-kind technical assistance will be given to Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government as well.

Locally, the collaborative project is led by the city’s Division of Parks & Recreation, Division of Planning, CivicLex, and Seedleaf.

The main goal of the Accelerator is to use community input to craft public policy that increases access to green space through the development of new parks + public land-use planning. The committee has done this by:
  • Addressing disparities in access to public green space.
  • Educating residents most impacted by these inequities on how green space policy is created.
  • Developing new ways to bring residents into the policy creation process.

Get involved

Now that the community input sessions have finished, Fayette County residents are invited to submit a proposal for up to $1,000 for a project that includes the following aspects for policy- and decision-making:
  • Advocacy
  • Belonging
  • Connectivity
  • Equity
Applications will be accepted through Friday, Sept. 22 and reviewed by a selection committee made up of staff from Parks & Recreation, Div. of Planning, and fellow residents.
Asked

Keeping in mind the aspects listed in the story, what ideas do you have for our parks?
Let us know
Visit Horse Country
 
Events
Tuesday, Aug. 22
  • Big Band & Jazz | Tuesday, Aug. 22 | 7-9 p.m. | Ecton Park, 956 Turkey Foot Rd., Lexington | Free | Pack your picnic setup for an evening of live jazz from The MetroGnomes.
Wednesday, Aug. 23
  • FUNdamentals - Bellydance Basics Class | Wednesday, Aug. 23 | 6-7 p.m. | Arabesque World Dance, 451 Chair Ave., Lexington | $15-$60 | Learn the tips and tricks of basic belly dance techniques, traveling steps, and directional changes.
Thursday, Aug. 24
  • Keeneland Library Lecture Series | Thursday, Aug. 24 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Keeneland, 4201 Versailles Rd., Lexington | $20-$56 | See a presentation from Jennifer S. Kelly as she discusses her book, “The Foxes of Belair: Gallant Fox, Omaha, and the Quest for the Triple Crown.”
Friday, Aug. 25
  • Crafternoon | Friday, Aug. 25 | 5-8 p.m. | Rock House Brewing, 119 Luigart Ct., Lexington | Free | Join Lex Creative Reuse for an afternoon of crafting, community, and socialization.
Saturday, Aug. 26
  • Honeycrisp Weekend | Saturday, Aug. 26 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Eckert’s Orchard, 1396 Pinckard Pike, Lexington | $3-$6 | Head out to the orchard to stock up on sweet and crisp apples while visiting with farm animals, exploring the grounds + more.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
News Notes
Open
  • Ruby’s Lounge, located above Ruby’s Cafe at 307 Short St., is officially open. Housed on the second floor in the former Postermaster’s Pub spot, the cocktail lounge + grill will be open Wednesday-Sunday 5 p.m.-1 a.m. serving cocktails, beer, wine and bites like wings, steak, burgers, and salads.
Coming Soon
Cause
  • The Catholic Action Center is supporting those experiencing homelessness during this heatwave. The community is invited to donate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that will be delivered via its Compassionate Caravan. Drop off your donations 8 a.m.-8 p.m. any weekday at 1055 Industry Rd. (WKYT)
Lexingtonian
Learn
  • UK’s Fine Arts Institute still has spots available for its class + workshop offerings. Think: Photography, abstract painting, and embroidery. The classes are open to adults 18+ looking to find new or expand on their creative skills. Plus, there’s no stressing over grades — just a fun opportunity to learn.
Try This
  • Lyndon House Bed & Breakfast is hosting a Farm to Feast Demo & Brunch on Saturday, Sept. 16. Start by meeting at the downtown Farmer’s Market at 9:30 a.m., then head to the historic B&B for a three-course mimosa brunch + cooking demo with Chef Chris Cain of Daughters’ Southern.
Finance
  • MacKenzie Scott, Melinda French Gates, and Priscilla Chan are continuously making waves in the philanthropy space. See how you can blaze your own philanthropic path with these four tips.*
Outdoors
  • Explore the beautiful, rolling hills of Horse Country right in Lexington’s backyard with Meet the NEIGHbors, Visit Horse Country’s community-based event returning on Saturday, Aug. 26 and Sunday, Aug. 27. Book a free tour to meet famous stallions, foals, and yearlings, and peek behind the scenes at a real equine medical clinic.*
 
Education

Civics 101 is now in session

CivicLex named Community Innovation Partner for UK’s 2023-2024 academic year
The outside of the Cornerstone building on UK's campus all light up in blue.
Blue lit campus in May of 2021. | Photo by Mark Cornelison| UKphoto
UK announced its Cornerstone Community Innovation Partner (CIP) for the 2023-24 academic year + it happens to be a favorite resource of ours here at LEXtoday: CivicLex.

So, what exactly does this mean?

For starters, CivicLex will have a physical presence at The Cornerstone, creating a home for civic education, technology, and community-building programs. The nonprofit will work with the university to host workshops, community events, and create educational data installations.

The 12-month partnership between the school + CivicLex aims to help foster the vision of The Cornerstone — promoting innovation and entrepreneurship through a meaningful connection between the community and the university.

“The CIP program is an intentional approach to community-driven social innovation that guarantees the university’s resources are highly accessible to the community, fostering a stronger sense of collaboration and mutual benefit,” said Melody Flowers, UK Assistant Vice President for Economic Development & Real Estate.
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The Wrap
 
Molly Thompson in a black shirt

Today’s edition by:
Molly
From the editor
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