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76º | 7% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:14 a.m. | Sunset 9:01 p.m.

 
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Investing in our community’s future
a gif featuring images of the Lexington Farmers Market and produce available to purchase
How would you invest in our community, Lexington? | Photos provided by Lexington Farmers’ Market
Maintaining the unique character of the Bluegrass — as crooner Michael Bolton sang — takes time, love, and tenderness. Strategic thought and community investments nurture the place we call home.

Local team members from WealthSouth, who know a thing or two about investing, recently shared their ideas on planning for our region’s future with us. (They’re more than qualified, as WealthSouth has served Central Kentucky with comprehensive financial solutions for 100+ years.)

Here’s what they had to say:

🌻 Lexington’s agricultural community

“My family loves to spend Saturday mornings downtown at the Lexington Farmers Market shopping for produce and a fresh bouquet of flowers,” Laura Jones, Senior Trust Officer, says. “While I have my dad, a lifelong farmer, to remind me how to properly plant my tomatoes, expanded education programs can help a broader population learn the valuable skills needed to raise and enjoy the delicious fruits of their labor.”

“I’d love to see further expansion of farmers markets across our neighborhoods. We can preserve the legacy of agriculture so central to our history while also increasing our focus on sustainability.”

🤝 Diversifying business ownership

“Enhanced opportunities for minority-owned business owners + entrepreneurs throughout the region would benefit our future,” Bud Watson, Senior Wealth Management Advisor, says. “This would foster a better sense of community and help create financial stability for families who may otherwise be underserved.”

“Several local groups, such as Commerce Lexington, have initiatives dedicated to this mission, and I would encourage everyone to support those and pitch in where you can.”

🏡 Expanding affordable housing options

“The best investment we can make to maintain a diverse cultural representation (and diverse workforce) is by providing affordable housing,” Jeff Zinger, Commercial Lending Manager, says. “Without affordable housing, residents will be forced to move out of our region, or in many cases, never consider moving here.”

“There are many examples of this already taking place including the Transylvania Affordable Housing Project at the old Marquard Field and the many affordable housing projects/programs led by the Urban League of Lexington-Fayette County.”

Learn more about how WealthSouth is committed to helping Lexingtonians invest in their future below.
 
Asked
 
If you could make an investment in Lexington’s future, what would it be?
A. Education
B. Entertainment
C. Smart growth and development
D. Other
 
 
Events
 
Tuesday, June 11
  • Glo-Life Line Dancing | Tuesday, June 11 | 7:30-8:30 p.m. | Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center, 300 E. 3rd St., Lexington | Free | This high energy social community will help you meet new people + learn line dances incorporating moves from hustles, shuffles, ballroom, salsa, and more.
  • Tacos + Tequila Night | Tuesday, June 11 | 8 p.m. | girlsgirlsgirls Burritos, 395 S. Limestone, Lexington | Free, price of purchase | Join DJ Knockout every Tuesday for an evening of tunes, tacos + menu specials, and deals on tequila and mezcal.
Wednesday, June 12
  • Nature in your Neighborhood | Wednesday, June 12 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Kenwick Park, 312 Owsley Ave., Lexington | Free | Get your hands dirty as you learn how to plant a garden from seed to fruit.
  • Anne Wilson | Wednesday, June 12 | 7 p.m. | Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St., Lexington | $68.50-$360 | This Christian country singer + former Lexingtonian will debut songs at this release show for her newest album, “Rebel.”
Thursday, June 13
  • Salsa Night: Rooftop Cocktail Hour | Thursday, June 13 | 6-9 p.m. | The Kentucky Castle, 230 Pisgah Pike, Versailles | Free | Enjoy the summer breeze, dance the night away, and enjoy bites + drinks.
Friday, June 14
  • “It’s a Grand Night for Singing!” | Friday, June 14-Sunday, June 16 | Times vary | Singletary Concert Hall, 405 Rose St., Lexington | $20.59-$68.52 | See the UK Opera Theatre’s Emmy Award-winning singalong spectacular, featuring Broadway hits from yesterday and today.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
News Notes
 
Sports
  • Congratulations to the UK baseball team, who scored a bid to the College World Series for the first time in program history. The Wildcats will face NC State in Omaha this Saturday, June 15. See the full bracket.
Asked
Kids
  • The Amsden, a Versailles coffee shop + vintage store, announced it will be turning its mercantile into a kids creative space. Gathered Play + Create will feature curated areas for play, art, imagination, and reading. It’s expected to open Monday, June 24.
Try This
Drink
  • The best part of waking up is a new seasonal menu at Leestown Coffee House. Sip on creative summer flavors like the coconut ube iced matcha featuring white mocha or a black sesame latte with sea salt + a caramel drizzle. Bonus: the cold brew pops are back.
Outdoors
  • Canoe Kentucky in Frankfort wants to help get kids outside this summer with its weekly program, WET — Wednesday Enlightening Trips. Kids ages 9-14 will spend time exploring environment-themed educational activities + paddling along the cove.
Older Adults
  • Registration is open for the 2024 Kentucky Senior Games. The games are open to adults ages 50+ with categories including basketball skills, power walk, track and field, and pickleball. The opening ceremony will be held Saturday, Aug. 3 at Transylvania University.
Quoted
  • “Just gratitude. My heart is filled with sincere gratitude.” That’s what Coach Nick Mingione said about UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart taking a chance on him + giving him his first head coaching job ever. Coach Mingione is currently in his eighth season leading the Wildcats.
Eat
  • Summer cookout, here you come. Level up your summer grilling, barbecue sides, and even homemade barbecue sauces that will kill it at your next summertime cookout with Kroger’s summer guide to grilling, chock full of recipes + party ideas (psst: we’re especially eyeing that grilled corn).*
Wellness
  • Looking for a game-changing night of sleep? Fall asleep + wake up rested with Cornbread Hemp’s CBD Sleep Gummies. Get 30% off a $55 minimum purchase with code CBDSLEEP30.*
 
 
Civic
 
Money, money, money
An aerial shot of downtown Lexington.
The FY 2025 budget will go into effect on July 1, 2024. | Photo courtesy of @femibranded
The city’s 2024-2025 budget is set to be voted on this week. City council will give a first reading today at 5 p.m., followed by a second reading + final vote on Thursday, June 13 at 6 p.m.

In April, Mayor Linda Gorton presented a $531.8 million budget. If approved, it would break last year’s record for the largest budget in Lexington history.

And just last month, city council added an additional ~$3.25 million in spending to the budget for 10 new positions including a traffic engineer, a Real-Time Intelligence Center analyst, and an E911 Manager. Before things become official, lets recap some of the big numbers:
  • $24 million for a new senior + therapeutic center at Shilito Park near the fire station
  • $14 million for road paving
  • $5.1 million to replace EMS and fire department vehicles
  • $4.79 million for the city’s affordable housing fund
 
The Buy
 
A cute swimsuit cover that combines the classic look of a button down shirt with extra length so everything’s covered.
 
 
The Wrap
 
Molly Thompson in a black shirt Today’s edition by:
Molly
From the editor
I was back at my happy place this weekend — Shaker Village. Fun fact: I teach goat yoga at the farm and we’ve got three spots left in our class on Saturday, July 20 at 12 p.m. Trust me, it’s one of the cutest classes you’ll take.
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