Get prepared for Kentucky weather with Be Ready, Lexington
Stay safe + stay warm, Lexington. | Photo by @maryjlex
Here we snow again. This weekend was one for the books, huh?
Lexington accumulated ~6 inches of fluffy snow yesterday, followed by an additional layer of sleet and ice, and more is expected today. Mayor Linda Gorton declared it a snow emergency + partially activated the Emergency Operations Center.
Remember, if you don’t have to get on the roads today, stay home. However, we know that’s not possible for everyone. Start here to stay informed regarding roads, warming stations, and closures:
UK is closed for in-person activities, however UK Healthcare will remain open
Blue Grass Airport canceled all flights on Sunday, but tracking is available for future flights
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.
The city is encouraging Lexingtonians to call 311 in the event of non-life-threatening damage. | Photo courtesy of @lexingtonkygov
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. The DEM operates within the emergency management cycle, which takes 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
Making a plan
Along with outlining how the city handles hazardous weather, the department’s website also provides tools and educational resources to help you plan for emergencies. There are guides for:
Those with or who are caretakers of people with disabilities
Seniors
Equine safety
Farm preparation
Pet preparation
Shelter-in-place plans
Build a kit
While we think of water, food, and shelter as the pillars of emergency preparedness, Be Ready also provides suggestions for the often over-looked items. Think: Important documents, medications, phone chargers, spare clothes, and weather radios.
Other ways to stay informed
Staying aware is perhaps the most critical part of preparing for emergency weather. Luckily, the website makes it easy to stay updated and informed in the form of:
KMSHA International Grand Championship | Thursday, Sept. 19-Saturday, Sept. 21 | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | Alltech Arena | $0+ | This horse show will feature the skills of the Kentucky Mountain Saddle + Spotted Mountain horse breeds.
Afternoon Tea | Thursday, Sept. 19 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Lexington Tea & Brie | $25+ | Get the royal treatment as you sip tea + indulge in tasty tea cakes, sandwiches, and more.
Trivia Night | Thursday, Sept. 19 | 7:30 p.m. | Lost Palm | Free, price of purchase | Venture up to The Manchester’s rooftop bar + sip on a creative cocktail while you show off those trivia skills for a chance to win a $30 gift certificate.
Friday, Sept. 20
Wolf Run Greenways Tour | Friday, Sept. 20 | 1-4 p.m. | Preston’s Spring Park | Free | Join fellow stream enthusiasts on a scenic hike along Wolf Run Creek while learning about stream restoration and conservation.
Golden Hour: $5 Friday | Friday, Sept. 20 | 5-8 p.m. | Harkness Edwards Vineyards, Winchester | Free, price of purchase | Kick back and soak in the sunset among the vines while sipping specially priced wine, sangria, and cocktails.
Saturday, Sept. 21
Celebrating the Life of Patrick J. Mitchell | Saturday, Sept. 21 | 1 p.m. | Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center | Free | Celebrate the life of the late Patrick J. Mitchell as the community comes together to share stories + support the artist’s family.
From the Front Porch: Hear by Design | Saturday, Sept. 21 | 6 p.m. | The Artists’ Village | Free | Bring your own picnic setup to kick back + relax while listening live jazz — food trucks will be available on site.
Sunday, Sept. 22
Monarch Fest | Sunday, Sept. 22 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Raven Run Nature Sanctuary | Free | Celebrate the magical monarch butterfly with crafts, build-your-own seed mix, and other hands-on activities.
Saturday, Sept. 28
Harvest Fest | Saturday, Sept. 28-Sunday, Sept. 29 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg | $0+ | Celebrate all things fall at this family-friendly event featuring farm animals, kids’ crafts, pumpkin painting, and hayrides, plus food trucks, live music, and more.*
See how hundreds of local, national, and international artists transform 30+ blocks of Cincinnati and Northern KY into a mesmerizing canvas from Thursday, Oct. 17, to Sunday, Oct. 20.
Here’s what to expect from the free event:
80+ dynamic light sculptures, projections, and murals
Fiabesca will celebrate its grand opening with a ribbon cutting at the Summit at Fritz Farm tomorrow, Sept. 20 at 10 a.m. The luxury shoe boutique will carry a selection of hand-curated styles from Italy, including boots, heels, and tennis shoes.
Coming Soon
Once you pick the perfect pair of shoes, head to Chevy Chase to browse new clothing + accessories boutique, That Cute Little Shop. This will be the store’s third location in Kentucky, taking over the former Peplum storefront on Euclid Avenue. Celebrate its grand opening Thursday, Sept. 26-Sunday, Sept. 29.
Ranked
Midway is the No. 20 Most Instagrammable Town in the US according to a study by TemporaryDumpster.com. The moving company surveyed experienced travelers to select “hidden gem” towns. Midway was chosen for its picturesque streets + quaint downtown, which you can see for yourself at the Midway Fall Festival this weekend.
Read
We’re not trying to get sentimental, but we are forever in love with the fact that Kenny G will be at Joseph-Beth Booksellers next Thursday, Sept. 26, 7 p.m. The jazz musician will be discussing + signing copies of his book, “Life in the Key of G.”
Drink
Did you sip your way through gallons of caffeine during Coffee Week? Well, now it’s time to crown the fan favorite. Vote for your favorite coffee + tea beverage of the week now through next Wednesday, Sept. 25 and you could win a $20 gift card.
Cause
Construction is underway on Lexington Habitat for Humanity’s 500th home. The milestone comes as the organization celebrates 38 years serving the local community. Homeowner Marsha Emerson has been helping with the build of her new townhome near Seventh + Maple Streets. (WEKU)
Today Is
Dining Out for Life, presented by Woodford Reserve. Gather with friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers at one of the 55 participating restaurants for breakfast, lunch, or dinner — and leave with full bellies knowing at least 25% of all sales benefit AVOL. Good food for a good cause? We like the sound of that.*
Try This
Feeling crafty, Lexington? Get creative + enjoy cocktails while snacking on delicious charcuterie boards at Poppy & Pomelo/Wick & Mortar. Their full Craft & Candle Cocktail Bar now features a variety of sweet and savory boards, complete with crackers, crisps, sweets, spreads, meats, cheeses + more. Make sure to reserve your spot in advance.*
Community
Since opening their doors in 1946, Central Bank has been dedicated to building community connections. From volunteering to partnering with local organizations, Central Bank is proud to be a fixture in our community and continues to look for ways to grow their community involvement. See how they’re making an impact.*†
†Member FDIC
Culture
🛹 A totally tubular time
Woodland Skate Park celebrates 25 years of hosting flips, tricks, and joy in Lexington
Show off your best casper flip at Woodland Skate Park. | Photo by LEXtoday
Kick, push, and coast your way to Woodland Park tomorrow, Sept. 20 to celebrate 25 years of the Woodland Skate Park. Hosted by Friends for Skateparks, the event will feature high-flying tricks, skate contests, raffles, food, and more.
The local nonprofit plays a pivotal role in the community, ensuring the upkeep of local skate parks, while also advocating for more opportunities to shred.
“Friends for Skateparks and the Lexington skate community are very honored to celebrate 25 years of Woodland Skatepark, one of the oldest concrete parks in the state,” said Doug Williams, local skater + president of the organization. “If you have a friend, cousin, or are a past skater yourself, please come out and enjoy with everybody.” He added that he’d love to see locals come and support the growth + stability of our skate community.
Feeling inspired? Get your gear at our local skate shop, Fat Daisy, then get ready to hit the ramps + rails at our four local skate parks.
The Buy
The Buy 9.19.24 (Affiliate)
L.L. Bean’s customer-favorite flannel blanket — perfect for camping trips, picnics, and staying cozy this autumn.
For the month of September, Harry’s + Drake’s are donating $5 from every Sip of Hope Sangria or mocktail to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance. BHG is raising funds and awareness in memory of co-founder Brian McCarty’s sister, who died after a five-month battle with the disease.
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