12.18.2023

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Today’s Forecast

38° | Partly cloudy | 7% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:54 a.m. | Sunset 5:30 p.m.

Gifts that give back

Unique gifts from local businesses

A box with a gray bow and three half pints of gelato stacked on top

When you shop local, you support your neighbors like Alma + Selma. | Photo by LEXtoday

From local businesses’ curated gifts to handmade goods supporting nonprofits, we’re here to help you sleigh holiday shopping this year.

Consumables

Three-Month Kombucha Tasting Experience | $195 | This is a gift that keeps on giving long after the wrapping paper rush. Thrive Brew will deliver 16 cans of local bubbles — including flagship, seasonal, and small-batch flavors — directly to your door.

Gelato Gift Box | $55 | Savor the holiday flavors with a sweet treat from Sorella Gelateria, where you’ll get nine half pints of gelato featuring flavors like eggnog, bourbon espresso, and lemon ginger sorbet.

The I’ll Bring the Coffee Kit | $45 | Get the cozy coffee house vibes at home thanks to Lussi Brown Coffee Bar. This kit includes a bag of coffee, two house-made seasonal syrups, a branded tote bag, and box of oat nog.

A blue water bottle, steel mug, and stickers — Stay hydrated while supporting your local park, it’s a win-win. | Photo courtesy of Lexington Parks & Recreation

Causes

Topography Water Bottle | $18 | Next time you’re at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, grab a special parks-themed water bottle featuring topography lines of Lexington’s natural areas. The collectible Nalgene also comes with a corresponding sticker and supports our local parks.

Soil & Stem Serving Bowl | $52 | These handmade creations are available thanks to local nonprofit Matchstick Goods. Your purchase supports youth entrepreneurship in North Lexington.

Scented Gift Box | $36 | Support the work of Greenhouse 17 by shopping for soaps, candles, lip balms + bath salts all handmade by survivors of intimate partner abuse.

Lexington Pride

Big Lex Swag | Prices vary | Show off your hometown pride with a variety of Big Lex-themed items including hats, mugs, keychains, and socks. All items are available at the Visitor’s Center inside historic Courthouse Square.

LEXtoday Mug | $22 | Reading your favorite newsletter while sipping your coffee in a branded mug? We can’t think of a better start to your day. Bonus: Your purchase supports our mission of keeping LEXtoday free.

Events

Monday, Dec. 18

Classic Literature Film Series: Jane Austen Double Feature | Monday, Dec. 18 | 2-7 p.m. | Lexington Public Library, 140 E. Main St., Lexington | Free | Celebrate the birthday of this iconic author by watching two adaptations of her classic books.

Tuesday, Dec. 19

Candlelight Yoga + Yoga Nidra | Tuesday, Dec. 19 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. | Shala, 333 E. Short St., Lexington | $32-$110 | Find ease + relaxation through mindful movement with an energizing yoga flow followed by guided meditation.

Wednesday, Dec. 20

Winter Wonderlab | Wednesday, Dec. 20-Friday, Dec. 22 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Living Arts & Science Center, 362 N. Martin Luther King Blvd., Lexington | Free | Stop by for hands-on fun with guided + self-guided activities including gingerbread village-making and ornament decorating.

Thursday, Dec. 21

Little Circles | Thursday, Dec. 21 | 7 p.m. | The Burl, 375 Thompson Rd., Lexington | $18 | Have a toe-tappin’ good time with the high energy Bluegrass-country-soul sounds from these Kentucky artists.

Friday, Dec. 22

amie + The Manchester, Christmas Drinks | Friday, Dec. 22 | 5-7 p.m. | The Manchester, 941 Manchester St., Lexington | $26.59 | Celebrate the US launch of this London-based wine brand with unlimited samples and passed appetizers.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Community

Heads up, LEX. Waste management collection will change this week. If your pick-up day would have been Friday, Dec. 22 — it’s now Wednesday, Dec. 20. If Monday, Dec. 25 was your day, carts will now be collected Wednesday, Dec. 27. There will be no pick up on Monday, Jan. 1.

Sports

After just one game, the new floor at Rupp Arena will be replaced per UK’s request. Officials from Robbins Sports Surfaces, the floor’s manufacturer, said they were unsatisfied with “how the floor was fitting together” during game play. The new custom floor will be replaced at no additional cost. (Lexington Herald-Leader)

Eat

Rolling Oven is getting in the holiday spirit with a new Christmas menu. The seasonal offerings include a twist on its Brussels sprouts, adding cranberries, bacon, and pecans + stuffed peppadews with garlic, feta, and hot honey.

Plan Ahead

UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment Alumni Association invites alumni and friends to the 2024 Alumni Alley-oop on Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 4:30 p.m. before the Mizzou game. Tickets include dinner + a pre-game pep rally at the Hyatt Regency, right next to Rupp Arena.

Biz

This time of year, it’s common to see Amazon drivers scattered throughout Lexington’s roads at all hours. FOX56 tagged along with a local driver to share her experience delivering packages (and smiles) during the holiday hustle + bustle. Show some love.

Holiday

Get holiday-ready with Kroger’s holiday tips + tricks (and coupons) — plus, wow the crowds with these creative holiday recipes (think: Pancetta-Wrapped Beef Tenderloin, Wild Mushroom Stuffing, Ugly Sweater Cupcakes, Alpine Mint Hot Cocoa + more).*

Development

This grocery store is big dill

Black Soil to open grocery store off Georgetown Street

The exterior of a former convenience store with a blue mural on the side.

Black Soil KY hopes to increase accessibility to fresh fruits + veggies in the Georgetown neighborhood. | Photo by LEXtoday

Thanks to the work of Black Soil KY, a former convenience store off Georgetown Street will get a fresh, new purpose.

Black Soil KY is a small business that supports + promotes Black farmers and has been in talks with the community in hopes of bringing access to fresh produce to the area.

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Planning Commission brought that hope one step closer by unanimously voting to alter the zoning at 460 + 462 Florence Avenue, taking it from a residential zone to a neighborhood business zone.

The grocery store is expected to specialize in fresh fruits and vegetables + will revamp the space by —

Replacing the parking lot with a patio
Installing a gate at the back of the property connecting to the nearby community garden
Creating a space to host outdoor events + markets

The change will now go to the full council for approval — a date for that vote has yet to be set.

The Buy

The Buy 12.18.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

A great game you can break out with the family this holiday season. Learn the rules to “Ransom Notes” in under a minute and get ready for belly laughs.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Molly

From the editor

Did you know, that you can adopt a storm drain near your home, work, or school? We spotted this pretty pink one while walking downtown this weekend, did a little research, and were excited to learn about this project from Live Green Lexington. We’ll share more in a newsletter in the new year.

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