Plus, celebrate Veterans Day at the National Guard Armory.
 
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Today’s Forecast

59º | Partly cloudy | 24% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:13 a.m. | Sunset 5:29 p.m.
 

A pop-up poet has taken over downtown

Feel Good Friday: Curtis Kaiser bringing smiles through free poems
A man sitting a small table with a typewriter and sign that reads Poems 4 Free
Next time you’re out and about, keep an eye out for Curtis cranking out some poems. | Photo by LEXtoday
If you’ve been out and about downtown these past few months, you may have been lucky enough to bump into “The Poet on Main Street.” While that isn’t his official moniker, that is pretty much what you can find Curtis Kaiser doing downtown.

An electrical engineer by way of Texas, Kaiser — who moved to Lexington in 2020 — has taken it upon himself to help generate some smiles to passersby downtown by writing + giving out free poems.

“I truly am out here to try and make things less crappy. There’s not enough free stuff that’s good out there,” Kaiser said. “And maybe other people will be inspired to do poetry, or just try and do other good things for free.”

Curt Kaiser typing a poem on a typewriter

There’s nothing more satisfying than the ding of a typewriter. | Gif by LEXtoday

We were lucky enough to catch Kaiser downtown on Wednesday evening + he explained the process in two quick steps:
  • If you spot him, say hello, then let him know the topic you want your poem to be about.
  • Wait for around 6-10 minutes, and you’ll soon be gifted with your own unique poem straight from his typewriter.

Why typewriters?

“This is kind of an accidental thing. I had a typewriter from an old retired Bell Engineer in Texas who gave me one,” Kaiser said. After letting it sit for years, he finally turned it on, and the rest was history.

He listened to typewriter podcasts, did a deep dive into typewriter websites + forums, and bought a few varieties to find his favorite.

Kaiser likes to keep things a mystery, so being at the right place at the right time is your best bet in snagging a poem. “It’s spontaneous. You have to be there to see it,” he said.

There’s no set schedule and no social media (although that might change, we’ll keep you posted). For now, it’s like Where’s Waldo, but Curtis and his typewriter. Keep an eye out — rumor has it he might be popping up at Greyline Station soon.
 
Events
Friday, Nov. 10
  • New Moon Wishes Workshop | Friday, Nov. 10 | 6-7 p.m. | Lexington Salt Cave, 309 N. Ashland Ave., Ste. 180-B, Lexington | $53 | Explore the power of mindfulness + intention-setting with the new moon led by Body-Mind Coach and Herbalist Nishaan Sandhu.
  • Fun & Easy Dance Class | Friday, Nov. 10 | 7:15-8:15 p.m. | Bluegrass Ballroom, 4750 Hartland Pkwy., Ste. 190, Lexington | $6-$12 | Newcomers are invited to dance the night away with West Coast Swing instruction in a fun and friendly environment.
Saturday, Nov. 11
  • Athens Schoolhouse Antiques Show | Saturday, Nov. 11-Sunday, Nov. 12 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Athens Schoolhouse Antiques, 6270 Athens Walnut Hill, Lexington | $2 | Sample complimentary seasonal treats + cider while shopping from pop-up vendors in the newly renovated gymnasium.
  • Really Really Free Market | Saturday, Nov. 11 | 1-4 p.m. | Duncan Park, 133 E. 5th St., Lexington | Free | All are welcome at this community gathering to bring anything and to take anything — everything is free.
Sunday, Nov. 12
  • Holiday Market at Hamburg | Sunday, Nov. 12 | 12-4 p.m. | Hamburg Pavilion, 1949 Star Shoot Pkwy., Lexington | Free | Get a jump start on your holiday shopping with 50 vendors, food trucks, and fun for the whole family.
  • Thanksgiving Pumpkin Floral Centerpiece Class | Sunday, Nov. 12 | 12:30-2 p.m. | Harkness Edwards Vineyards, 5199 Combs Ferry Rd., Winchester | $49.87 | All materials + instructions will be provided as you create your own centerpiece with flowers and pumpkins — one glass of wine is included with your ticket purchase.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
News Notes
Holiday
  • Veterans Day (honored Sat., Nov. 11 + observed by public offices today) is a federal holiday commemorating people who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Expect various closures related to the holiday, and help honor our military personnel by stopping by the Veterans Day Celebration at the National Guard Armory.
Cause
  • UK men’s basketball is teaming up with White, Greer, Maggard Orthodontics for the Braces and Basketball Holiday Toy Drive, which will benefit Sunrise Children’s Services. With your toy or monetary donation, you’ll be entered to win one of four prizes, including home game tickets or bowling with the Wildcats.
Eat
  • Luna the food truck, which spends the warmer seasons at The Grove, has moved to its home for the winter: Al’s Bar. You can find them serving up delicious eats like crispy brussels sprouts + loaded fries Thursday-Sunday starting at 5 p.m.
Community
  • Now through Wednesday, Nov. 29, applications are being accepted for those wishing to be a part of the 2023 Lexington Christmas Parade. Entry fees range from free to $500 depending on your business. The parade will take place Saturday, Dec. 2.
Watch
  • Mark your calendars because indie country singer Abby Hamilton will be singing live on CBS Saturday Morning on Nov. 18. The Lexington-based rising star is currently on tour in support of her newest album, “No. 1 Zoo Keeper at the San Diego Zoo.”
Lexingtonian
Seasonal
  • The holiday season, aka hosting season, is here. No need to cram clutter in the garage before family and friends arrive this year — donate unneeded items to the ReStore. Check out what items are needed most and make a donation. Pro tip: If your donation is too big to fit in your car, you can schedule a free donation pick-up.*
Travel
  • See why The New York Times named Greenville, SC as one of the “52 Places to Go in 2023.” Plus, snag a free Visitor’s Guide to start planning your trip.*
Drink
  • Your new first drink of the night: ZBiotics, a probiotic engineered by PhD microbiologists to break down the byproduct of alcohol. Try it to wake up feeling refreshed tomorrow.*
Retail

More reasons to shop until you drop

7 new stores are coming to The Summit at Fritz Farm
A woman jumps in front of a tapestry featuring a rainbow and horse, with text that reads "Lexington, Kentucky #sharethelex"
Jump for joy, new shops are coming. | Photo courtesy of VisitLEX
In case you haven’t ventured out lately, there’s some new faces + spaces that have popped up at The Summit at Fritz Farm.

While Yankee Candle and locally-owned Brewster’s Christmas will be around for the holiday season, seven new permanent fixtures will be joining the retail development later this year + early 2024.
  • Carhartt — Opening early 2024 next to Fabletics
  • California Closets — Opening late 2023 between Pottery Barn and J. McLaughlin
  • Lens Crafters — Opening Spring 2024 near Grimaldi’s
  • Paper Source — Opening early 2024 between Shady Rays and White House Black Market
  • Rowan — Opening Spring 2024 next to Cru Food & Wine Bar
  • Urgent Vet — Opening January 2024 next to Charles Schwab and Fleet Feet
  • Wrangler — Opening this Sunday, Nov. 13 next to lululemon
Do you frequent The Summit? What’s your main reason for visiting? Share your answers in this short survey.
The Buy

The Buy 11.10.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
An instant read meat thermometer. Because Thanksgiving is only 13 days away, and if you’re planning to serve turkey, it’s nice to serve it cooked.
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The Wrap
 
Molly Thompson in a black shirt

Today’s edition by:
Molly
From the editor
Happy Friday, y’all. Just a heads up there’s only two weekends left to see the Henry Faulkner exhibit at the Headley Whitney Museum. I’m making a point to add it to my to-do list this Saturday.
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