May 13, 2024

Today’s Forecast

78º | 23% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:28 a.m. | Sunset 8:40 p.m.

See Palmer’s Pharmacy historical renovation

The WayPoint Center in the middle of construction, where historical about Palmer Pharmacy lined the walls.

The WayPoint Center in the middle of construction, where historical info about Palmer Pharmacy lined the walls. | Photo provided by United Way of the Bluegrass

In 1959, pharmacist + Civil Rights activist Dr. Zirl Augustus Palmer purchased a property at 400 E. 5th St., which would become the first pharmacy owned by a Black man in Lexington.

Palmer’s Pharmacy, Luncheonette, and Doctor’s Office opened in 1961, serving as a much-needed addition to the East End for people to receive medications and socialize with neighbors.

Today at 10 a.m., city + state officials will cut the ribbon on the new Marksbury Family WayPoint Center at the Historic Palmer Pharmacy, where Dr. Palmer’s legacy will be remembered and commemorated as his work lives on.

The outside of the renovated Palmer Pharmacy with a sign that says "Marksbury Family WayPoint Center." — The newly renovated building was made possible by a grant from the Marksbury Family Foundation, as well as ARPA grants. | Photo by Mark Mahan of Mahan Multimedia

The new WayPoint Center

The new WayPoint Center, which replaces the current one-room location in the Charles Young Center, spans 3,000+ sqft. Here, Lexingtonians can get access to resources like:

Personalized needs assessments conducted by counselors to ensure services are tailored to specific goals
Financial mobility counseling to support Lexingtonians in areas like budgeting, debt reduction, and establishing savings
Holistic in-office services such as free health screenings, assistance with Medicaid enrollment, and job seeker support through resume assistance and job fairs
Referrals to safety-net providers who can connect people with emergency food, utility assistance, or housing support

A photo of three people sitting on a couch, looking at a document. — Dr. Palmer was the first Black member of the UK’s Board of Trustees. | Photo provided by United Way of the Bluegrass

Remembering Dr. Palmer

According to Jenn Goble, United Way’s Director of Marketing, a large memorial to Dr. Palmer is located in the building’s lobby alongside a timeline of his work — not just his impact on medicine in the area, but also educating visitors about his other endeavors.

Images line the walls capturing the space’s history beyond its role as a pharmacy — it was a place of solace + community. And Dr. Palmer played a massive role in it. He was involved in organizations including the UK Board of Trustees, the NAACP, Planned Parenthood, and was also part of the Lexington Hustlers, one of the first integrated baseball teams in the South.

Events

Monday, May 13

Silent Book Club | Monday, May 13 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Joseph-Beth Booksellers, 161 Lexington Green, Lexington | Free | Bring a book to get lost in while enjoying the quiet company of fellow bookworms.

Tuesday, May 14

Galactic Empire + Bit Brigade | Tuesday, May 14 | 7:30 p.m. | The Burl, 375 Thompson Rd., Lexington | $20-$24 | Hear a heavy metal tribute to the work of John Williams and a full live set covering Nintendo game soundtracks.

Wednesday, May 15

Tiny Tot Naturalist | Wednesday, May 15 | 2-3 p.m. | McConnell Springs Park, 416 Rebmann Ln., Lexington | Free | Children ages 2-5 will get down in the dirt with nature themed activities, crafts, and a walk in the park.

Thursday, May 16

Beer Garden Pop-up | Thursday, May 16 | 4-8 p.m. | Woodland Park, 601 E. High St., Lexington | Free, price of purchase | This Lexington Parks & Rec + West Sixth Brewing collab will host a temporary neighborhood beer garden complete with food trucks, music, picnic tables, and mingling with friends.

Events calendar here

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Active

LiveWELL Training Club moves to a new space

a woman pushes a workout sled across a turf floor

Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or someone stepping into a fitness program for the first time, LiveWELL provides a place for Lexingtonians to feel welcomed + encouraged on their health and fitness journey. | Photo provided by LiveWELL

LiveWELL Training Club has a new address: 233 East Main St., just one block from its old location. This move marks a new chapter for the local gym.

Owners Ann-Phillips Mayfield, her husband, Jay Ingle, and their partner, Keaton Jones, hope the new space offers even more opportunities for Lexingtonians to get healthy. Bonus: The new location features more natural light and a beautiful view of downtown Lexington to enjoy during a workout.

So, what does that mean for current gym members or those looking for a new gym? Because the new space is bigger, LiveWELL will be able to offer different services to its clients, including:

Expanded personal training services (two new trainers recently joined the team)
New state-of-the-art equipment (think: a new turf floor + sled)
More training space and options for NextUp youth performance athletes
A new custom app that clients can use to schedule sessions, view workouts, and help clients keep track of their progress in real time. Bonus: LiveWELL can send workouts to clients who travel.
And more

Interested in working out with the LiveWELL team? Connect with them to start training and learn more about the new space.

Become a LiveWELL member

News Notes

Ranked

Ashland Park was named the No. 7 neighborhood with the most luxurious landscape in the US. The ranking comes from Waste Removal USA, a dumpster rental company, who commissioned a survey of 3,000 real estate professionals across the country to find the most stunning front yards.

Environment

A $20 million award from the National Science Foundation’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research will support climate research in Kentucky. The multi-institution collaboration, led by UK, will study + collect data to better understand Kentucky’s atmosphere, explore disaster mitigation, and improve climate prediction. (UKNOW)

Watch

The Singletary Center for the Arts will host the Lexington Philharmonic’s season finale concert, “Two Black Churches,” on Saturday, May 18. The world premier of the arrangement, created by composer-in-resident Shawn E. Okpebholo, tells the story of “two significant and tragic events” that occurred at Black churches. Get tickets.

Active

Baby, you were born to run. Registration for the 2024 Rainbow Run 5K is now open. Don your favorite rainbow gear, then head to Coldstream Park on Saturday, May 18 at 6 p.m. to support the Lexington Pride Center + Lexington Pride Festival.

Finance

Sometimes unexpected expenses arise. Luckily for UK Federal Credit Union members, there’s Skip-A-Pay. This perk allows members to skip one loan payment, except on mortgages and credit cards, in a rolling calendar year for each loan they have with UKFCU — learn more. Not a member? See how to become one.*†

Biz

Your ambition is infinite, but your time is not. Athena can help you scale yourself + your company by pairing you with an elite assistant and world-class delegation coaching. Bonus: LEXtoday readers can score a $1,500 credit — see how.*

Correction

In Friday’s newsletter, in our Hike and Nature Walk Guide, we listed that Hisle Farm Park was accessible, but we were wrong. Thanks to readers Paul H. and Will C. for letting us know that it is not accessible. Fortunately, we can add Raven Run Nature Sanctuary’s new Discovery Trail to the list.

†Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Lender.

Civic

🗳️ It’s your duty

LEX get out and vote, y’all. | Photo by LEXtoday

At LEXtoday, we aim to cover local elections in a way that educates and activates our community with unbiased information to encourage individual voter participation. (i.e. vote for whoever + whatever you want to, just make sure to vote.) To learn more, check out our Editorial Ethics Policy.

If you can’t make it to the polls on election day, you can still make your voice heard.

Any registered voter who has not requested a mail-in absentee ballot may cast an unexcused in-person absentee ballot. This option will be available Thursday, May 16-Saturday, May 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at all branches of the Lexington Public Library.

Excused in-person absentee ballots will be held Monday, May 13-Wednesday, May 15 at the County Clerk’s office, 162 E. Main St., 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mail-in absentee ballots must be received by mail or placed in the dropbox outside the County Clerk’s office by 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 21 to be counted.

Voter deadlines, guidelines, and more

The Buy

Apple pie made easy. We’re celebrating National Apple Pie Day by warming up some of this Apple Pie Jam from Adams Apple Co. with a little bit of ice cream.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Aayat

From the editor

I loved seeing photos of the aurora borealis across the country over the weekend. Did anyone in Kentucky get a glimpse? Share your photos with us, and it could be featured in a future newsletter or on our social media.

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