On a national level

• You can donate money to help pay for supplies to the American Red Cross — give $10 by texting HELENE to 90999.
• The United Way has created a special Helene Recovery donation page.
• The Salvation Army is providing up to 1,500 meals a day to victims of the Hurricane. Donate to the Relief Fund.
• GoFundMe has created a direct Hurricane Relief Fund to allow users to donate without worrying about scams on the site.

• First Friday Social Ride | Friday, Oct. 4 | 6:30 p.m. | Gratz Park | Free | Join Social Cycling Lexington for a family-friendly, casually-paced bike ride around town.
• Freaky Flicks | Friday, Oct. 4 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Masterson Station Park | Free | Grab a blanket + picnic setup and put a little family-friendly fright in your night with a showing of “Hocus Pocus” — food, drink, and dessert trucks will be available.
• UK vs. UT | Friday, Oct. 4 | 6 p.m. | UK Rugby Pitch | Free | Watch as the Wildcats club rugby team hosts the Tennessee Volunteers — donations welcome.

• Wilmore Arts and Crafts Festival | Saturday, Oct. 5 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Downtown Wilmore | Free | Experience small-town charm by shopping downtown boutiques, as well as 80+ juried art and handmade craft vendors.
• Lexington Fall Home Show | Saturday, Oct. 5-Sunday, Oct. 6 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Oleika Shriners | Free | Browse vendors to discover the latest trends + meet local experts in the home improvement, design, and decor space.
• Woodland Triangle Witchfest | Saturday, Oct. 5 | 2-9 p.m. | Woodland Triangle | Free | Don your favorite witchy attire as you make your own body potions + spell candles, shop at neighboring businesses, then continue the party at Old North Bar.

• Yoga Under the Trees | Sunday, Oct. 6 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate | Free | This all-levels yoga class invites the community to come together to move with ease under the trees.
• Fall Mini Pies and Wine Class | Sunday, Oct. 6 | 1-2:30 p.m. | Harkness Edwards Vineyards, Winchester | $57 | Impress your guests with a dozen mini pies that you’ve created yourself through guided instruction — one glass of wine is included with your ticket.

• Head to the Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center on Monday, Oct. 7 at 5 p.m. for the Lexington Nonprofit Coalition’s Meet the Candidates and Council event. Here you can listen as candidates share their priorities + network with fellow community members.

• Condé Nast Traveler’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards ranked Lexington No. 4 among the best small cities in the US, touting our city’s equine offerings, bourbon culture, food + spirits scene. We know there’s a whole lot to love about the Horse Capital of the World — check out our collection of local City Guides.

• In case you missed it, there’s a new traffic light at the intersection of Old Frankfort Pike + New Circle. Drivers on Old Frankfort Pike will now have a dedicated left turn arrow to get on to West New Circle Road, heading toward Versailles. (Lexington Herald-Leader)

• Take your love of records + wine outside your home with Darling Wine Bar’s first Vinyl Night. This Saturday, Oct 5, from 6 p.m until close, show off your favorite records and listen to fellow audiophiles’ picks while sipping from the shop’s extensive selection of natural wines.

• “We’re changing the way the country sees Kentucky — moving forward for all our families. Together, we’re showing folks our new Kentucky home, where opportunity and prosperity are possible for everyone,” Governor Andy Beshear said on Instagram after sharing he was named to the Time100 Next 2024 list.

• Next Tuesday, Oct. 8 is National Walk to a Park Day. Lexington Parks & Recreation + CivicLex invite you to join them by celebrating at the Charles Young Park Picnic. Stop by from 4 to 6 p.m. to enjoy free ice cream and barbecue with fellow Lexingtonians.

• Fall into savings (see what we did there?) with these four steps to lower your energy bills this season from Columbia Gas of Kentucky. Think: Thermostat, equipment, and appliance tips.*

• Rates just dropped — now could be the time to tap into your home equity. Calculate your payment.*

• Hiring? Our new community job board could help you find that perfect candidate. Bonus: For a limited time, you can post your listing for free. Give it a try.

• Set the scene with equestrian accents from Syers Browning. Think: ice buckets, decorative napkins, and julep cups.
• Stirrup and snaffle serveware paired with horse and jockey placemats + tumblers from Pomegranate are a winning bet.

The sips + snacks

• You can’t go wrong with the wine, meat, and cheese selections from Southland Drive’s Cibon. It even has already-crafted house platters you can take to-go.
• If you’re looking for something a little heavier, try your hand at one of the recipes from our piece on tailgate snacks from local chefs. Or check out Feed + Supply’s Bake at Home options like shepherd’s pie and macaroni and cheese.