01.22.2024

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Today’s Forecast

41° | Partly cloudy | 4% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:49 a.m. | Sunset 5:49 p.m.

Nonprofits

A group of people in front of a horse statue holding up their hands in a "U" position.

The “U” hand symbol has become a beacon of unification for the group. | Photo courtesy of Unity in Community

When Jonathan Richardson lost his nephew over two years ago to a drug overdose, he saw a need for better support and resources for all Lexington’s populations. His desire to bring the community together led to the creation of Unity in the Community, a nonprofit focused on the message of togetherness.

We spoke with Richardson to talk about his work, what his average day looks like, and aspirations for the future of his nonprofit.

What inspired you to start Unity in the Community?

“This was all a culmination of things that happened to me personally and to people I’m close with,” said Richardson.

“I felt like there was a need for the community,” said Richardson. “Just like the name of [our] nonprofit, we need more unity in the United States — not just Lexington or Kentucky.”

How does a typical day look like for you?

Through a partnership with local Papa John’s franchisers, Richardson receives a weekly food donation to support his cause.

“I have about three or four volunteers now, so we typically meet in front of the [Old Courthouse],” Richardson said. “While we’re setting up, I’ll go round up as many people that are experiencing homelessness as I can... we typically feed 50-75 people every time we go downtown.”

Whatever is left over gets taken to The Hope Village.

A hand holding a blue bracelet that reads "Unity in the Community Inc" — “Some things you can’t put a price on, such as happiness, love, and friendship,” said Johnathan Richardson. | Photo courtesy of Unity in the Community

The future of Unity in the Community

Richardson doesn’t want to stop at just food. In fact, a recent partnership with Fabletics in the Summit is giving him the opportunity to provide people experiencing homeless with clothing.

How can Lexington support your efforts?

“Volunteers are one of the biggest things, and bringing awareness to the cause,” said Richardson.

He added that donations, sponsored events, and networking opportunities can help expand + support the organization’s efforts.

Anyone interested in supporting Unity in the Community can contact Richardson via email.

Events

Monday, Jan. 22

Mythos: Tuska’s Art of Self Reflection | Monday, Jan. 22-Thursday, Feb. 29 | Times vary | Central Library, 140 E. Main St., Lexington | Free | Reflect upon your mind, body, and spirit at this interactive exhibit from artist John Tuska.

Tuesday, Jan. 23

Central Kentucky Improv | Tuesday, Jan. 23 | 7-9 p.m. | Al’s Bar, 601 N. Limestone, Lexington | $10 | Have a midweek laugh with short- and long-form performances from this improv group.

Wednesday, Jan. 24

Mocktails at the Museum | Wednesday, Jan. 24 | 5 p.m. | 21c Museum Hotel, 167 W. Main St., Lexington | Free | Sip on a complimentary mocktail while taking a guided tour of the latest exhibit, “Labor & Materials.”

Thursday, Jan. 25

Jeff Parker & The New Breed | Thursday, Jan. 25 | 7:30 p.m. | Singletary Recital Hall, 405 Rose St., Lexington | $10-$25 | See the musician touch on a variety of jazz subgenres, from popular to experimental.

Friday, Feb. 2

Bingo Loco | Friday, Feb. 2 | 7 p.m. | Manchester Music Hall, 899 Manchester St., Lexington | $30 | This interactive stage show takes the concept of bingo and switches it on its head by turning it into an immersive party that will have everyone dancing on tables while winning incredible prizes.*

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Community

After Friday’s waste collection was canceled due to snow, the city announced that those residents’ makeup day will be this Wednesday, Jan. 24. (LEX 18)

Closing

Old Vine Bistro has announced that it will be closing for good as owner Larry Dean retires. This news comes after the restaurant announced a temporary closure earlier this month for equipment repairs. Celebrate its last weekend — Thursday, Jan. 25-Saturday, Jan. 27 — with a limited time OV favorites menu.

Sports

“Big Z” has arrived in the Big Blue Nation. Zvonimir Ivisic, the 7-foot-2 freshman from Croatia, finally made a dazzling debut at Rupp Arena on Saturday, contributing to UK mens’ basketball team’s 105-96 win against Georgia with 13 points. The delay came after Ivisic faced hurdles with UK’s admissions process. (Lexington Herald-Leader)

Civic

Fifty years ago, Lexington officially merged the City Commission and Fayette County Fiscal Court to become Kentucky’s first urban county government. To celebrate the anniversary, Mayor Linda Gorton announced a commemorative ceremony will take place on Thursday, March 21 at 6 p.m. We’ll keep you updated when we learn more.

Edu

Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) — a Tennessee college near the Kentucky border — will open a site for its nursing program on the CHI Saint Joseph Hospital campus this year. Renovations to an office building will convert the space into classrooms, labs, simulation rooms, and more to give students a hands-on experience. (Lane Report)

Eat

Delicious food and a good cause? If you dine at The Kentucky Castle from now until Friday, Feb. 2, a portion of food sales will be donated to God’s Pantry Food Bank. It offers brunch, lunch, and dinner, with dishes like a smoked brisket benedict and beet goat cheese ravioli.

Watch

Tourism and Hospitality

Caution: UFOs crossing. | Photo courtesy of VisitLEX

We’ve always known that Lexington is out of this world, so why not entice our extraterrestrial friends to see it for themselves?

In what is the world’s first interstellar tourism campaign, the team at VisitLEX and a group of scientists came together at the Kentucky Horse Park to beam a Lexington-specific message into space. Yeah, you read that right.

Using an infrared laser, the team was able to send a coded invitation to the TRAPPIST-1 solar system, just a measly 40 light years away, with messages highlighting:

Prime numbers
The symbol for water + ethanol (because, bourbon)
The symbol for dopamine
Images, such as horses and landscapes, representing Lexington
An audio recording from Tee Dee Young

While we wait for the message to get delivered in ~39 years, we want to know: If you had to create a Lexington itinerary for aliens, what would be on the agenda?

Asked

What would be the perfect day in Lexington for extraterrestrial tourists?

A mars-terpiece day

The Buy

The Buy 1.22.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

The perfect sauce to celebrate National Hot Sauce Day today: Sobremesa’s Citrus Habanero Hot Sauce. This small-batch mole and salsa company combined ripe citrus with spicy habanero to make a bright, fiery sauce that tingles the taste buds.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Aayat

From the editor

Real talk, I think I would take aliens to the Kentucky for Kentucky Fun Mall. Where else could they see memorabilia from the Jim Varney?

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