Plus, a new Italian restaurant in Versailles.
 
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79º | Sunny | 6% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:19 a.m. | Sunset 7:46 p.m.
 

Here’s how to give back locally

Charitable giving slumped 10.5% in 2022 — here’s how to give back locally
A woman wearing a Glean Kentucky shirt in front of boxes with produce.
Glean KY donates excess fresh fruits and vegetables to nourish local communities. | Photo courtesy of Glean Kentucky
Giving USA released its latest report on charitable giving in the US — and after a record high of $517 billion in 2021, 2022 saw Americans give $499 billion total.

That’s a decrease of 3.4% without adjusting for inflation, and 10.5% in inflation-adjusted terms — making it the largest slump in charitable giving the US has seen since the Great Recession.

What caused the decline? Factors include individuals having less to give. While cost of living rose nationwide — most rapidly in Oregon and Washington — disposable personal income fell over 6% in 2022 when adjusted for inflation, and the stock market saw its worst overall performance since 2008. Meanwhile, charitable gifts that were given were economically less valuable due to inflation’s steep rise.

Want to make an impact? Here’s how to support local causes that matter to you.

Consider a recurring gift. Instead of donating one large gift at the end of the year, set up monthly incremental gifts to your chosen charity. This can help maintain nonprofits’ cash flow and ability to forecast revenue.

Don’t forget gifts are tax deductible. Make it easy by making gifts on a credit card — many accounts will automatically pull a list of all your charitable donations from the past year.

Volunteer your time. Have less to spend? Head to that “volunteer” section on a local group’s web page — we’re willing to bet there are plenty of opportunities to give your time.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Kroger
 
Events
Friday, Sept. 1
  • Golden Hour: $5 Friday | Friday, Sept. 1 | 5-8 p.m. | Harkness Edwards Vineyards, 5199 Combs Ferry Rd., Winchester | Free | Soak in the sunset + sip on specially-priced glasses of wine, sangria, or cocktails.
  • Battle in the Saddle | Friday, Sept. 1 | 6 p.m. | Kentucky Horse Park, 4075 Iron Works Pkwy., Lexington | Free | See the quick skills + bravery of local horseback riders as they battle it out to be the fastest to pen a group of cattle.
Saturday, Sept. 2
  • Summer Fun Train Rides | Saturday, Sept. 2 | 11 a.m. | Bluegrass Railroad Museum, 175 Beasley Rd., Versailles | $13-$20 | Explore the museum displays + model train exhibits before enjoying a ride through scenic horse country.
  • Cat Video Fest 2023 | Saturday, Sept. 2 | Times vary | The Kentucky Theatre, 214 E. Main St., Lexington | $7.31-$8.96 | Calling all feline fanatics — see a compilation of cat videos + meet Halfway Home Rescue’s adorable adoptable kittens.
Sunday, Sept. 3
  • Blooms, Bluegrass & Boutique | Sunday, Sept. 3 | 12-6 p.m. | Lilly of the Valley, 2269 Vince Rd., Nicholasville | Free | Enjoy an afternoon filled with shopping, live Bluegrass music, a petting zoo + garden goodies.
  • Margaritas on the River | Sunday, Sept. 3 | 5-8 p.m. | Proud Mary BBQ, 9079 Old Richmond Rd., Lexington | Free | This annual summer party will guarantee good times with good food + live music from Conch Republic.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Now Open

Business

Take a peek at Gratz Park Private Wealth’s new office
Presented by a LEXtoday Partner
Gratz Park Private Wealth Office_LEX_GIF.gif
Chat with Gratz Park Private Wealth’s team to see how they can help you grow your wealth. | Photos by Victor Sizemore
ICYMI, Gratz Park Private Wealth has a new home. The new office is located just steps away from the beauty of Gratz Park at 110 E. Third St. Immersed in the heart of downtown Lexington, they’re proud to call this vibrant city their home.

From this inspiring location, GPPW’s team is able to provide tailored solutions for their client’s financial goals and guide them toward prosperity. Their intuitive approach to wealth planning allows them to educate + empower their clients to help grow, preserve, and organize their wealth.

Interested in starting your own financial journey? Explore GPPW’s services or give them a call at (859) 259-0909 to set up a consultation.
Make money moves with GPPW
Gratz Park Private Wealth is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc.
News Notes
Civic
  • Here’s your reminder that waste collection will not take place on Monday, Sept. 4 for Labor Day. Lexingtonians on a Monday pickup cycle will be serviced on Wednesday, Sept. 6. Be sure to set out your cans after 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 5.
Drink
  • Bespoken Spirits, a notable ag-tech company, is bringing its headquarters to Lexington in 2024. The San Francisco-bred startup will open up shop in Greyline Station, where it will help distillers with bourbon aging using the sustainable “tailored wood finishing” process.
Coming Soon
  • Vallozzi’s, a new family-owned Italian restaurant in Versailles, is currently in a friends + family soft opening phase. Once officially open, it will dish out classics like pizza, as well as more adventurous entrees, like Calamarata pasta. And did we mention their ingredients are flown in from Italy? That’s amore.
Cause
  • The City of Lexington is encouraging nonprofits to apply for city capital grants. As the program enters its second year, organizations that did not receive funding last year can apply before Wednesday, Sept. 20 to potentially receive a portion of the ~$480,000.
Festival
  • The Burl’s inaugural County Fair is fast approaching, and they need you, the fans, to help put it on. Email the venue to learn how you can help operate its interactive games Friday, Sept. 8-Sunday, Sept. 10 — and receive a free weekend pass.
Plan Ahead
  • Looking to get the most out of the final days of summer? The Water Lantern Festival is coming to Lexington on Saturday, Sept. 9. Bring the family for an evening of iridescent fun. Tickets include a floating lantern kit, an LED candle + items needed for clean up.
Eat
  • Enjoy fresh, seasonal ingredients and a unique spin on classic, Southern-inspired dining at 33 Staves. With a curated bourbon list, a creative cocktail program + hints of bourbon throughout the menu, it’s a meal you can’t miss. Why not make a reservation for this weekend?*
VisitLEX
 
Sports

🏈 Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose

Let’s play ball: UK football is back
football players in a huddle
The calm before the score. | Photo courtesy of Elliott Hess, UK Athletics
We can almost smell the charcoal from tailgate grills wafting through the air. Tomorrow, Sept. 2, football season kicks off as the UK Wildcats take on Ball State. We’ve got all the details you need before stepping into Kroger Field.

This year, a few changes are coming to Kroger Field, including:
  • Beer + seltzer sales
  • Self-service scanners for mobile tickets
  • Software to protect tickets
Perhaps the biggest news is that adults 21+ can purchase alcohol, both domestic + craft, at football games for the first time ever.

Tickets are also undergoing changes to speed up entry and keep attendees protected from scams. Through a new software called Safetix, which was introduced during the winter sport season, ticket barcodes periodically refresh so tickets cannot be stolen or used by others.

Remember: this means that screenshots of tickets are a no-go. Instead, it’s suggested you add ticket(s) to your mobile wallet.

Hut, hut, hike.
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The Wrap
 
Aayat Ali

Today’s edition by:
Aayat
From the editor
We want to hear from you. What are the “unwritten rules” of Lexington? For example, we all know that when attending a basketball game at Rupp Arena, you have to try an ice cream.
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