Plus, a new Ethiopian restaurant comes to Greyline.
 
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Today’s Forecast

48º | 37% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:16 a.m. | Sunset 8:05 p.m.

 
🏛️ Reinventing and restoring history
A brick home with arches and pillars.
The Pope Villa was designed by one of America’s first professional architects. | Photo courtesy of Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation
In 1811, architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe, aka the man behind designing the White House and US Capitol, began work on a home for Kentucky Senator John Pope + his wife Eliza in Lexington. Now, it’s known as Latrobe’s Pope Villa, located at 326 Grosvenor Ave. in the historic Aylesford neighborhood.

Since 1988, the Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation (BGT) has tended to and cared for the building with the hopes of rehabilitating it to its full neoclassical glory. Now, BGT is putting out a Request for Expression of Interest to look for someone to match its recent $748,000+ grant from Save America Treasure. Here’s everything you need to know about the space.

Latrobe’s Pope Villa

The 19th century home is one of three surviving residences designed by Latrobe in the US. The neoclassical-style building is defined by its arch-shaped, pillar-flanked entryway.

The grant will go toward essential repairs to the home, including:
  • Installing a new roof
  • Restoring the second-floor rotunda
  • Masonry stabilization
  • Reframing throughout the building
An entryway to a home featuring arches, bricks, and weathered walls.

Examples of neoclassical architecture include the White House + the Villa La Rotonda in Italy. | Photo courtesy of Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation

The future

Following these foundational improvements, BGT hopes that whoever matches the grant can rehabilitate the home and find a long-term use for it. Jonathan Coleman, executive director of BGT, says preservation-minded corporations, developers, individuals, and nonprofits are invited to submit a request.

Parties that intend to send in a Request for Expressions of Interest should be ready to detail goals for the building including:
  • What it will be reused as
  • Potential partners to help with preservation
  • Where funding will come from
  • Outlining experience with previous rehabilitation projects
Coleman adds that the ideal candidate is someone who has preservation at the forefront, can ensure the home’s maintenance, and turn it into a space that is open for the community.
 
Asked
 
What is the minimum age of a building to receive a BGT plaque?
A. 25 years
B. 50 years
C. 75 years
D. 100 years
 
 
Events
 
Friday, April 5
  • GreenRoom Exchange Presents Yacouba Sissoko | Friday, April 5 | 7-9 p.m. | Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center, 141 E. Main St., Lexington | $15-$25 | Take an audio trip to West Africa with the music of Yacouba Sissoko, who has collaborated with the likes of Harry Belafonte + Lauryn Hill.
  • Candlelight Spring: A Tribute to Queen & More | Friday, April 5 | 8:45-9:45 p.m. | Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center, 300 E. Third St., Lexington | $34-$56 | This orchestral tribute to iconic band Queen will certainly rock you.
Saturday, April 6
  • Kentucky Spring Premier Horse Show | Saturday, April 6 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Kentucky Horse Park, 4089 Iron Works Pkwy., Lexington | $0-$18 | Celebrate the 35th anniversary of this premier Saddlebred horse showcase at Alltech Arena.
  • Jay Jurden | Saturday, April 6 | Times vary | Comedy Off Broadway, 161 Lexington Green Cir., Lexington | $9-$16 | Have a laugh with this comedian + writer whose work has been featured on “The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon” and “The Problem With Jon Stewart.”
Sunday, April 7
  • Local LEX Market Block Party | Sunday, April 7-Sunday, Oct. 6 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Local LEX Market, 439 Southland Dr., Lexington | Free | Peruse local crafters and artists at this monthly block party and market.
  • “Cowboy Bebop” Live | Sunday, April 7 | 8 p.m. | Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St., Lexington | $30-$50 | Experience the thrill of the beloved anime with a live jazz accompaniment by the Bebop Bounty Big Band.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
 
Opening
  • According to a Facebook post, a new restaurant is making its way to the Lexington foodie scene. Ethiopian Family Kitchen will open within Julietta Market Kitchen in Greyline Station on Sunday, April 7, taking limited orders on Sundays to start off. Their menu includes fosoliya, aka green bean + carrots, and misir wot, simmered red lentils.
Listen
  • It’s farmers’ market season, folks. But before you arrive with tote bags in hand, tune into WUKY 91.3 for the “Lexington Farmers’ Market Report” every Friday afternoon and Saturday morning to get seasonal selection tips + ideas for recipes.
Eat
  • The brunch starts comin’ and it don’t stop comin’. Burl Brew will start serving our favorite meal of the day this weekend. Head to 371 Thompson Rd. every Saturday + Sunday, 11 a.m.-2p.m., for a Burl-ito featuring chorizo and eggs, Lucy’s pancake stack, a mimosa flight, and more.
Try This
  • Baby animals and bedtime? No, it’s not just a far-fetched fantasy — Shaker Village is hosting Bedtime with the Babies every Friday + Saturday in April. Purchase tickets to help tuck the barnyard babies in for the night while learning about their nighttime rituals.
Plan Ahead
  • Kentucky’s 2015-2016 Poet Laureate George Ella Lyon will be the keynote speaker at the Carnegie Center’s annual Book in Progress Conference on May 30-June 1. Lexingtonians are invited to this two-day event featuring writing sessions, the chance to pitch to literary agents, and networking opportunities.
Drink
  • West Sixth’s monthly Pop-Up Beer Garden is back for the season. Now through October, parks around town will transform into a mini oasis, featuring live music + food from vendors like Nourished Folks and Sav’s Chill. Head to Woodland Park for the first event on Thursday, April 18, 4-8 p.m.
Development
  • Plans for the new Campus to Commons Trail, which would connect North Lexington to the University of Kentucky campus area, were recently released. Now, city planners are looking for feedback from Lexingtonians about the plans. Take a simple survey to share your feedback.*
Wellness
  • BetterHelp creates a safe, stigma-free space where you can be your authentic self and explore your concerns. Get 25% off your first month of therapy.*
 
Weather
 
🌪️ Are you ready, LEX?
Four city workers wearing bright yellow reflective jackets, cutting up a downed tree.
The city is encouraging Lexingtonians to call 311 in the event of non-life-threatening damage. | Photo courtesy of @lexingtonkygov
It’s no doubt that Kentucky’s weather is often unpredictable, but that shouldn’t mean you should stay in the dark when it comes to preparedness.

Luckily, our Department of Emergency Management’s (DEM) website, Be Ready Lexington, has nearly every resource you could think of — from emergency kits for your car to pet preparedness plans. That means having a built-in plan in place during erratic weather and other citywide disasters is as simple as a few clicks.

What is Be Ready?

Be Ready is a one-stop shop, curated by the DEM, to ensure every citizen is equipped with knowledge + resources for any type of event. It operates on a four-phase approach when handling emergency weather:
  • Preparation: Staff is equipped with the knowledge + tools to respond to specific incidents
  • Response: Staff is trained to handle emergencies before, during, and after an event
  • Recovery: Staff is prepared to getting Lexington stable after an emergency
  • Mitigation: Staff takes physical or legal measures to reduce impact before the next disaster
 
The Buy
 
Eco-friendly self-care options. Parrotfish has shampoo, conditioner, soap bars, and shower steamers that will level up your night in.
 
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The Wrap
 
Aayat Ali Today’s edition by:
Aayat
From the editor
Speaking of weather preparedness and recovery, reader Janet C. wrote in with a great reminder that it can be dangerous to walk pets in areas with downed trees and other damage due to broken glass.
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