GOOD TIDINGS
SEASONAL RECIPES, HOLIDAY EVENTS AND WAYS TO GIVE BACK THIS SEASON
CREATIVE TYPES
SPOTLIGHT ON FRANKIE YORK'S CAREER AS THE NEW EDITIONS GALLERY OWNER PREPARES TO RETIRE ALBUMS OF THE YEAR
THE STAFF OF CUT CORNER RECORDS WEIGH IN ON THEIR FAVORITE MUSICAL RELEASES OF 2025
Creative Types: Frankie York
A spotlight on the career and final show for the New Editions Gallery owner as she prepares for retirement
on Operation:
Season for Giving (Back)
As community needs increase, we highlight some ways to give back this holiday season
decadent brownie from the kitchen of Coles 735 Main is the perfect fix for any holiday sweet tooth
Spotlight
Secret Santa
Hortus Gardens knows that creating winter interest means bringing texture and beauty into the garden four seasons of the year. Winter containers provide warmth and welcome to your home well past the holidays. When the ribbon and lights come down, evergreen foliage and sculptural branches remain, honoring the distinct gifts winter offers.
DESIGN BUILD MAINTAIN
Contributors
Michelle Aiello is a Chicago-born writer, editor and indie publisher. Her interests include living room karaoke, snail mail and all things vintage. She contributes to our monthly “tadoo list” (our calendar of cultural happenings, page 41).
Smiley Pete contributor Shannon Clinton (“Craveworthy,” page 7) is an Elizabethtown native who now lives in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. A proud graduate of Western Kentucky University’s journalism program, she has been a full-time freelance writer for 21 years for publications across the Southeast. When she’s not writing, you can find her tending to her collections of vintage Pyrex and hot sauce.
Smiley Pete intern Hannah Hobbs (“Season for Giving [Back],” page 21) is a junior at Transylvania University majoring in English with an interest in publishing. Born in Lexington, she’s been creating and writing stories since elementary school. Besides reading and writing, her days include making handmade art like crochet wearables and blankets or polymer clay keychains; perfecting her chai latte; and cozying up with her cat, Karma, for her favorite shows
Mick Je ries (photography for“Creative Types: Frankie York” and “Spotlight on Operation: Secret Santa”) is a longtime contributor of words and images to the Smiley Pete universe. He works in an ever-changing array as graphic designer, photographer, writer, radio show host and oral historian to celebrate and evangelize the ever-unfolding zeitgeist of Lexington, his beloved home for more than three decades.
Tanzi Merritt (“Creative Types: Frankie York,” page 11) is a Lexington native with a background in history, libraries and archives who works in the world of marketing by day and volunteers for many community organizations in her free time. ■
PUBLISHER: CHRIS EDDIE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: SARAYA BREWER
COPY EDITOR: NIKOLE CHRISTENSEN ART DIRECTOR: DREW PURCELL
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: AMY EDDIE, DONNA HODSDON, ANN STATON
SALES MANAGER: EMILY MARKS EVENTS DIRECTOR: AMY EDDIE FOR
INFO@SMILEYPETE.COM
ADVERTISE@SMILEYPETE.COM TEL: 859.266.6537 WEB: SMILEYPETE.COM
Dr. Danny Steckler
CIVIC CONNECTIONS
Lexington Residents Invited to Participate in First City Charter Review Since 1998
BY CIVIC LEX
Over the next several months, Lexington residents will have a rare opportunity to help make local government more representative and responsive to our community. For the first time since 1998, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Charter — the document that outlines how local government is set up and the rules it has to follow — will undergo public review, marking a significant milestone for our city.
CivicLex, a local civic health organization, wants to hear your thoughts on what should change or stay the same in the Charter. Lexingtonians can weigh in by completing an online poll (civiclex.org/civic-assembly-get-involved) or reaching out to CivicLex directly (info@civiclex.org) for paper surveys.
Your responses will directly guide what parts of the Charter will be considered for changes at Lexington’s first-ever Civic Assembly, a process designed to bring everyday residents together and create meaningful conversation about how government can work better for everyone.
The Civic Assembly hopes to strengthen representation, trust and participation in local government. Hosted in March 2026 over several sessions, the assembly will feature 36 Lexington residents who will meet to learn, deliberate, and ultimately make recommendations for potential Charter updates that will be presented to the Urban County Council. Participants are compensated for their time and trained facilitators help guide conversations.
To select Assembly members, CivicLex will conduct a lottery process by mailing 10,000 postcards to randomly selected households across the city. These postcards will invite anyone 16 years or older in the home to apply to become a member of the Civic Assembly. From that applicant pool, final members will be chosen through a lottery to reflect the city’s demographics across age, political affiliation, race, income, geography and more.
Civic Assemblies have been used more than 700 times around the world and have proven successful for tackling complex issues, by bringing everyday residents into the decisions that shape our community. Lexington’s own Assembly aims to do the same, offering Lexingtonians the chance to rethink how residents and government collaborate, not just for this particular opportunity, but also for future generations.
While the participants for Lexington’s first Civic Assembly are chosen at random, taking the Charter survey is your chance to influence the process and the future of Lexington! Visit www.civiclex.org for more information. n
“Relaxing the body. Quieting the mind. Opening the heart.”
Mindful, empowered self-care is the heart of healing. Dr. Patterson offers experiential consultations and classes for persons with stress-related chronic conditions –emphasizing a mindfulness-based approach to promoting resilience, managing stress, preventing burnout and cultivating compassion. Mindfulness is heartfulness. Visit mindbodystudio.org for more information.
Yoga unites body, mind and soul. Join instructor Kim Blitch, for Iyengar Yoga classes:
• Monday 6 - 7:15 pm – Beginner
• Tuesday 5:30 - 6:45 pm – Level 1
• Thursday 9:30 - 10:45 pm – Gentle
• Saturday 9 - 10:15 pm – Beginner
• Sunday 9 - 10:15 pm – Restorative iyengarlex.com
Argentine Tango, the world’s most mindful, meditative, intimate dance. (The social tango, not ballroom.)
If you can walk and hug, you can dance Argentine tango.
• Every Wednesday practice from 8 - 10 pm, with beginner lesson 8 - 9 pm
Singles and beginners welcome. No partner or experience required.
Matt Branstetter is a licensed massage therapist and a graduate of Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine. He has over 25 years experience in meditation and the martial and healing arts and can be reached for appointment at: embodyingtheway@gmail.com
JOHN A. PATTERSON MD, MSPH, FAAFP, ABIHM
Tai Chi and Therapeutic Massage
CRAVE WORTHY LOCAL CULINARY NEWS
BY SHANNON CLINTON
With Cole Arimes, the chef/owner behind Epping’s and Cole’s 735 Main, at the helm, The V, a new seafood-driven fine dining restaurant, has opened downtown in The Vine Lexington, a commercial building recently converted to include residential space, short-term rentals, a private club and more. While some elements of The Vine will only be open to members and residents, the restaurant, which celebrated its grand opening in September, is open to the public and now accepting reservations.
• By combining far less celebrated soap suds with the more fun, drinkable kind, The Laundry Room on Regency Point Path is now serving libations, spinning together a mundane chore with adult beverages for some good, clean fun.
• After some delays, the Haitian family restaurant Le Gourmet opened mid-September at 1080 S. Broadway.
• Specializing in gourmet grilled cheeses and other sandwiches, the Berea-based Bert’s Speakcheezy has opened a Lexington location at 2985 Liberty Rd.
• Mama Linda’s Chicken opened at 580 Eureka Springs, serving chicken, ribeye, burgers, fish, salads, desserts and sides.
• Southern Cookhouse & Bar has opened at 844 Hays Blvd., serving starters that include beer cheese with pretzels and deviled eggs, aka “church eggs.” Creative salads are also available, along with various burgers, pizza and entrees like bourbon-glazed filet and Orleans pasta.
• Kung Fu Noodle has opened at 535 S. Upper St. on the University of Kentucky campus, with hand-pulled noodles, Chinese burgers and skewers.
• Ford’s Garage has opened near Fayette Mall with a Ford automobile-themed aesthetic in which burgers, sides, salads, soups and more are served, including a “Giant Funnel Tower of Piston Onion Rings.”
• Fond farewells are in order for: The Wok, which closed on Waller Avenue and is set to become China Hut Maple Street Biscuits on Nicholasville Road and the Lucille Drive Biscuit Belly both closed recently, as did Vinaigrette Salad Kitchen on Broadway at The Square. A bevy of local pizza places recently served their last slice, including West Coast Pizza on Nicholasville Road, Giovanni’s Pizza on East New Circle Road, Mod Pizza’s Tates Creek location, and Puccini’s Boston Road location. And lastly, Tuk Tuk Snack Shop will close as of mid-November.
• Meanwhile, Marco’s Pizza has opened at 2051 Richmond Rd. Suite 120, with pizzas being but one category in its extensive Italian menu.
• A third location of the popular “elevated everyday dining” eatery Bella Cafe & Grille was set to open in mid-November in Hamburg Pavilion, 2200 War Admiral Way.
• Papi’s Citation, the fourth location in the Lexington-based family of fast-casual Mexican restaurants, opened in November 1988 Stockton Way, near the Citation Publix. n
CREATIVE TYPES
FRANKIE YORK
A SPOTLIGHT ON THE CAREER AND FINAL SHOW FOR THE NEW EDITIONS GALLERY OWNER AS SHE PREPARES FOR RETIREMENT
STORY BY TANZI MERRITT
PHOTOS BY MICK JEFFRIES
For nearly four decades, New Editions Gallery has been a defining force in Lexington’s art landscape, and owner Frankie York has been at the center of it, curating more than 100 exhibits and championing dozens of artists during her career. Now, as she prepares to retire at year’s end, closing New Editions and handing the space over to a Louisville-based gallerist, it’s a fitting moment to revisit her career: how it started and how it unfolded over the past four decades.
While York has always had art in her blood, she was originally on another path altogether. After growing up in various places throughout the midwest, she followed her father’s footsteps in attending Hamilton College in upstate New York.
“At the time I thought I would become a doctor like my dad and grandfather,” she said. “I think I got a C in chemistry, and studying biology was hard, so pretty quickly I saw that maybe medicine wasn’t for me.”
Instead, she shifted to art and design, taking inspiration from a life surrounded by the creative work of her mother, stepmother and paternal grandmother.
New Editions Gallery owner Frankie York, pictured here at the door of her Short Street gallery, will retire at the end of the year.
PHOTO BY MICK JEFFRIES
“My mother was an artist,” said York. “When my dad was working at the University of Chicago they took night classes at the Art Institute together. They started painting, and she really, really embraced it and excelled at it. She was actually preparing for her first art show in Chicago when she died of an aneurysm when I was 10.”
York’s stepmother was an expert quilter and certified quilt appraiser who was instrumental in establishing the Kentucky Heritage Quilt Society and the National Quilt Museum, and her grandmother was an acclaimed interior designer in Lincoln, Nebraska.
“[My grandmother] had a wonderful eye. I don’t remember the homes I grew up in so much, but I remember every fabric, every drapery, every decorative item in my grandparents’ home,” York said. “I can almost feel the fabric on the couch, even now.”
A couple years into college, York started applying to work at galleries in New York City.
“A lovely couple hired me to work at their poster gallery, and I started learning about framing,” she said. “From there I moved on to a gallery in Santa Fe, and I stayed there for a year or two before coming to Kentucky.”
When York’s father became the chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at the
“The greatest gift I’ve received from owning New Editions is the friendships I’ve developed with the artists and the patrons. Those relationships came about because of this work, and that is the real gift... I’m so grateful for it.”
FRANKIE YORK, NEW EDITIONS GALLERY OWNER
University of Kentucky College of Medicine in the 1980s, he and her stepmother moved to Lexington. York followed and enrolled in UK’s interior design program. With previous gallery experience and a degree in hand, she jumped into small business ownership in 1988, when she opened New Editions, a contemporary art gallery, in Dudley Square at the age of 28.
The gallery remained in Dudley Square for one year before merging with another gallery owned by local artist Debbie Westerfield, with whom York worked for several years before Westerfield left the gallery to focus on her own art. When that location sold, York and her husband bought a space on Euclid Avenue in Chevy Chase, where the gallery remained for a number of years.
In 2001, York sold New Editions to an employee and stepped away to focus on her two toddlers. The gallery changed hands for a second time in 2006, and in 2009, York finally reacquiring New Editions again, after an eight year hiatus. The gallery relocated to its current home on Short Street in downtown Lexington in 2014, and New Editions’ final show, a tribute to Mona Lisa featuring 28 artists, will be on display through Dec. 23, 2025.
The idea for the show came from Marsha Cone, an artist that York has represented who knew she was thinking about retirement.
PHOTO BY
MICK JEFFRIES
“She had a number of ideas for me, and one of them happened to be a show reimagining the Mona Lisa,” York explained. “I thought it sounded like a lot of fun and ran with it.”
The show consists of 26 pieces by artists who have Kentucky ties, including Arturo Sandoval and local architect Graham Pohl among others. Using a variety of media, each artist is presenting their interpretation of Da Vinci’s famous old master, which is widely considered the most famous painting of all time for a handful of reasons: its groundbreaking use of his signature sfumato, a hazy soft focus technique that eliminates hard lines and borders; a 1911 heist during which the painting was stolen from the Louvre in Paris; and the subject’s alluring and enigmatic expression. Opening in late November, the show will close on Dec. 23, marking the last day for York and New Editions. In late February, gallerist Daniel Pfalzgraf, owner of the Louisville-based Wheelhouse Gallery, will open a new gallery in the space.
As to what is next for York, she has plans to assist with an upcoming retrospective of artists Rodney Hatfield and Lynn Sweet at the Headley-Whitney Museum, followed by time with family.
“Rodney and Lynn are artists who are much-loved in the community, and because I’ve represented them for so long, I’m going to be very active in helping put that together,” she said. “Past that, I just want to travel and visit my sons more. And I want to spend more time with my dad, who is 97 now.”
As much as there is to look forward to, retiring from a career that one loved often brings a bittersweet feeling. Fortunately for York, the favorite part of her work is one that will endure.
“The greatest gift I’ve received from owning New Editions is the friendships I’ve developed with the artists and the patrons,” she said. “Those relationships came about because of this work, and that is the real gift. And it’s a gift that I’ve been able to do this for so long. I’m so grateful for it.” ■
IF YOU GO:
“Mona Lisa” at New Editions Gallery, 500 W. Short St.
For the final exhibit at New Editions Gallery, 26 artists who either live in Kentucky or have lived here in the past have interpreted the Mona Lisa, in varying media of the same size (24x18”). The show will be on display Nov. 21-Dec. 23.
Gallery hours and more info at www.neweditionsgallery.com
A sampling of the artwork that has been on display at New Editions Gallery.
PHOTOS BY MICK JEFFRIES
PHOTO BY MICK JEFFRIES
Smiley Pete’s
Holiday Gift Guide
1. Birkenstock Boston
Birkenstock’s most sought-after clog, the Boston, lends a fashion-forward edge to any style.
John’s Run/Walk Shop
317 S. Ashland Ave. • 3735 Palomar Centre Dr. 3090 Helmsdale Pl. • johnsrunwalkshop.com
Lexington’s family-owned running, walking and lifestyle footwear store since 1978
2. Handmade Mr. Bird Birdhouse
Give your backyard birds a present for the holidays.
Worlds Apart
850 E. High St. • worldsapartlex.com
Your destination for seasonally inspired clothing plus home goods, accessories and unique gift items.
3. Backstage Duo Cheeks
Muted warm and cool powder blush pairings.
Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio & Boutique
312 S. Ashland Ave.
A gift boutique o ering a full line of makeup, skin care, ladies apparel and specialty items not found in department stores.
4. Balsam Fir Scented Candle with Wax Seal
Elevate your home with a luxurious, lasting fragrance.
Frances M
631 E. Main St. • shopfrancesmreviews.com
An experience-based home, gift, and garden shop.
5. Forbidden by Talon Winery
Locally made Talon wine with crisp apples and warm cinnamon, perfect for gifting or sharing.
Talon Winery
7086 Tates Creek Road (Lexington) • 400 Gordon Lane (Shelbyville) • talonwine.com
Now in its 26th year of operations, Talon winery has long been one of the region’s most thriving vineyards.
6. Tart Acrylic Ornament Photo Frame
Turn a favorite photo into a modern holiday keepsake.
Peggy’s Gifts
112 Clay Ave.• peggysgifts.com
A charming boutique o ering curated collections of stylish clothing, accessories, home decor and distinctive gifts.
7. Iconic Barbour at LV Harkness
Women’s quilted and waxed jackets, cozy scarves and essential winter accessories.
LV Harkness
531 W. Short St. • www.lvharkness.com
A collection of distinctive pieces from around the world. Transform your home with pieces for every occasion.
8. Wise Bird Cider Club
Each quarterly shipment includes two bottles of rare, new or exclusive ciders. $45 quarterly.
Wise Bird Cider Co.
1170 Manchester St. #140 • www.wisebirdcider.com
9. Lidded Pangara Breadwarmer
Keep your favorite loaf nice and cozy with this handcrafted kasia grass & terracotta bread warmer.
Lucia’s
328 N. Ashland Ave. • www.luciasworldemporium.com
Lexington’s Fair Trade marketplace, o ering ethically made clothing, jewelry and decor, as well as holiday gifts
10. Ceramic Holiday Frames
These 5x7” frames will perfectly capture and display holidays past and present.
Interior Yardage
303 Southland Drive • interioryardage.com
Specializing in home decor and holiday gift items, plus custom drapery, bedding and valances in an array of fabrics.
Smiley Pete’s
Holiday Gift Guide
11. Wise Bird Cider
Wise Bird ships its Kentucky handcrafted cider to over 44 states. (Bottles range from $18-29)
Wise Bird Cider Co.
1170 Manchester St. #140 • www.wisebirdcider.com
12. Holiday Bow Mug and Giftbox Cannisters
Cozy up with a hot cup of cocoa with this adorable mug, and cannisters for storing your marshmallows.
Interior Yardage
303 Southland Drive • interioryardage.com
Specializing in home decor and holiday gift items, plus custom drapery, bedding and valances in an array of fabrics.
13. Soap Sampler
Handmade soaps featuring popular essential oils. Greenhouse17
GreenHouse17.org/handmade-by-survivors. Every purchase nurtures the lives of survivors of intimate partner abuse.
14. Natural Lip Oil in Cola
New lip oil in shimmering chocolate brown with a hint of holographic pearl.
Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio & Boutique
312 S. Ashland Ave.
A gift boutique o ering a full line of makeup, skin care, ladies apparel and specialty items not found in department stores.
15. Night Before Christmas Glasshouse Candle
A luxurious candle with black currant, plum and spice.
Peggy’s Gifts
112 Clay Ave.• peggysgifts.com
A charming boutique o ering curated collections of stylish clothing, accessories, home decor and distinctive gifts.
16. Talon Winery’s Equestrian Series
A unique house wine that captures the grace, strength, and spirit of the Bluegrass.
Talon Winery
7086 Tates Creek Road (Lexington) • 400 Gordon Lane (Shelbyville) • talonwine.com
Now in its 26th year of operations, Talon winery has long been one of the region’s most thriving vineyards.
17. Hand Knit Floral Sweater
Stay warm in this beautiful sweater.
Worlds Apart
850 E. High St. • worldsapartlex.com
Your destination for seasonally inspired clothing plus home goods, accessories and unique gift items.
18. Rumpl Yosemite National Park Blanket
The Original Pu y blanket is durable, packable, and warm. Enjoy it everywhere, from camping to tailgates.
John’s Run/Walk Shop
317 S. Ashland Ave. • 3735 Palomar Centre Dr. 3090 Helmsdale Pl. • johnsrunwalkshop.com
Lexington’s family-owned running, walking and lifestyle footwear store since 1978
19. Bicycle Pizza Cutter
This handcrafted stainless steel pizza slicer, a wonderful gift for foodies and cycling enthusiasts.
Lucia’s
328 N. Ashland Ave. • www.luciasworldemporium.com
Lexington’s Fair Trade marketplace, o ering ethically made clothing, jewelry and decor, as well as holiday gifts
20. Baccarat Crystal
Give light, pleasure and joy to any moment with this luxurious crystal. Exclusively at LV Harkness.
LV Harkness
531 W. Short St. • www.lvharkness.com
A collection of distinctive pieces from around the world. Transform your home with pieces for every occasion.
We recently celebrated the grand opening of our new state-of-the-art HVAC facility right here in Lexington!
To everyone who came out to support us – thank you from the bottom of our hearts. This milestone wouldn’t be possible without this amazing community that has believed in us from day one.
A special thank you to Mayor Linda Gorton and Adam Edelen for taking the time to speak and share in this moment with us. Your words meant the world to our team. And to Commerce Lexington Inc. — thank you for being there and for your continued support of local businesses like ours.
Lexington isn’t just where we do business – it’s our home. Growing here, hiring locally, and serving our neighbors has always been at the heart of what we do. The new facility represents our commitment to this community and our promise to keep delivering excellence for years to come.
To our team, our customers, our partners, and every single person who will walk through these doors — we’re so grateful for you. Here’s to the next chapter of growth, innovation, and serving the community we love! And of course a huge thank you to Season’s Catering for the amazing food!”
Call Synergy Home for a free estimate for any of your
Season for Giving (Back)
AS COMMUNITY NEEDS ARE AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH IN MANY LOCAL SECTORS, WE HIGHLIGHT SOME WAYS TO GIVE BACK THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
STORY BY HANNAH HOBBS
This time of year, the air is filled with twinkling lights, festive gatherings and joyful giftgiving, but behind the sparkle of decorations, many local families are facing significant challenges, lending an added layer to the spirit of holiday giving. In these times of uncertainty, giving back to the community has never been more crucial, according to Lauren Parsons of Blue Grass Community Foundation (BGCF), a Lexingtonbased foundation that connects donors with nonprofits and stewards charitable funds across the region.
“We’re definitely seeing increased need… across all sectors,” she said.
One of the most high profile ways that BGCF exemplifies its commitment to helping meet those needs is through its Bluegrass Gives Campaign, a regional giving event formerly known as the GoodGiving Challenge. Co-founded by Smiley Pete Publishing, the parent company of this publication, in 2011, the campaign is designed to support regional nonprofits by
providing an easy platform for donors to give to charitable organizations through a user-friendly online directory. Taking place on Dec. 2, a day widely known as “Giving Tuesday,” this year’s campaign features 232 local organizations.
“You can give to all of them, some of them, or just one of them,” Parsons said. “There are causes for everybody to support.”
Participating in the initiative, which has raised an average of nearly $3 million annually for nonprofits in recent years, is a great way for donors to ensure their contributions are reinvested into the community in a meaningful way, Parsons said. The event is able to stretch the dollars donated throughout the campaign by offering matching funds and prizes for various local charities.
It’s also a great way for smaller nonprofits that might not yet have widespread recognition to gain followers and donors, she added.
“There’s a misperception that only the big nonprofits do really well [in the campaign], and that is not true,” she said. “Sometimes, these grassroots nonprofits do really well. We’ve seen groups raise
their entire budget for the following year in this campaign.”
Building on its established history as one of the largest online-giving events in the region, Bluegrass Gives is entering a new chapter this year, implementing changes aimed at enhancing community support. In addition to changing the title of the campaign to more accurately and succinctly reflect its mission, the event has been condensed this year into a single, impactful day — a shift from the multi-week format of previous years. This change aims to maintain high energy and streamline the giving process for both donors and nonprofits.
“We really want to keep the momentum high on that day, and we want to simplify it for donors,” she said.
While nonprofit needs are at an all-time high across the board, among the most urgent needs for Lexington families this year are centered on housing and food security. God’s Pantry, a food bank that serves 50 Kentucky counties and works with over 500 partner programs, is reporting a staggering 85% increase in demand — a historic high for the organization, which was founded in the 1950s.
PHOTO FURNISHED
Danielle Bozworth and Laura Brooks (pictured left to right above) have seen increased food insecurity this year in the 50 Kentucky counties their organization services.
At the time of publication, the government shutdown had affected the local salaries of 17,000 federal workers, and the temporary pausing of SNAP benefits, a federal funding program designed to help low-income families with grocery purchases, had created uncertainty for hundreds of thousands of other Kentuckians, including over 280,000 people in God’s Pantry’s service area. Rising grocery prices and decreased federal funding have also had a significant impact on individuals as well as the food banks that help bridge the gaps for low-income families.
“Our agencies have seen longer lines and more new people seeking service,” said Danielle Bozarth, vice president of operations and philanthropy for God’s Pantry. Laura Brooks, the organization’s director of marketing and communication, echoed how immense the strain on food banks is during these times of need.
“Here at the food bank, our purchasing has gone up from spending about 1.2 million dollars on food last year [to] nearly 7 million dollars on food this year,” Brooks said. That spending is all part of a large-scale operation that distributed 50 million pounds of food to partners and distribution centers last year, equaling 42.5 million meals for those in need. When asked about the upcoming winter season, God’s Pantry expressed
that products like peanut butter, cereal, canned goods and pop-top meals are especially needed.
The heightened need for basic necessities has created a ripple effect across the entire nonprofit sector. Large scale federal funding cuts have impacted everything from housing and winter survival support, such as emergency shelters, to immigrant and youth services; environmental and arts-based non-profits have also been gravely affected by funding cuts.
“We’re definitely seeing increased need in those basic areas like human services, food insecurity, housing… but also [other] things that make life worth living, like the arts and education,” said Parsons. “There are just so many funding cuts across different industries…there’s need across the board.”
While funding is always going to be one of the greatest needs for non-profits, supporting these organizations doesn’t require monetary donations. Donating food items to food pantries, volunteering time, and advocating on behalf of nonprofits are also incredibly powerful ways to give back this holiday season.
“We all win when we give back,” Parsons said. “Any cause that is speaking to you, it will need your support.” n
Like many nonprofits in the Lexington community and beyond, God’s Pantry has reported an uptick in needs when it comes to volunteers and financial donations.
PHOTOS FURNISHED
Spotlight on Operation: Secret Santa
THIS LOCAL GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION HELPS PROVIDE EXTRA CHRISTMAS CHEER TO MORE THAN 2,000 LOCAL FAMILIES, WITH A FOCUS ON FILLING IN THE GAPS AND ELIMINATING BARRIERS
STORY BY SARAYA BREWER
JEFFRIES
Santa’s elves are gearing up for a busy month ahead in a certain Lexington workshop, and they are seeking the community’s help to bring some extra Christmas cheer to an estimated more than 2,000 local families this year.
Operation: Secret Santa is a grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to helping local families during the holiday season, by delivering Christmas gifts and holiday meal kits to local families who have either self-nominated or been nominated by someone else to receive some extra cheer.
As organization founder Katie Keys points out, there are plenty of other local organizations that operate wonderful toy drives and free holiday meals. But due to a variety of circumstances, a lot of local families are often still left needing assistance this time of year.
“We exist to fill in the gaps,” Keys explained.
These are some of the facets that make Operation: Secret Santa stand out:
The organization (literally) meets people where they are. Operation: Secret Santa volunteers deliver toys and meal kits directly to the doorsteps of the nominated families in the days leading up to Christmas each year, eliminating the need for families to take time off work or arrange childcare or transportation to access the benefits.
PHOTOS BY MICK
Pictured clockwise from the middle, Operation: Secret Santa board members Jenny Coakley, Ramona Fry, Katie Keys, Saralyn Kingsolver and Beth Carey Amos. The organziation relies on 100% volunteer effort.
PHOTOS BY MICK JEFFRIES
There are no early calendar cut-offs. While application deadlines for many local toy drives are as early as August or September, Operation Secret Santa’s nomination window is in early December. This year’s window for nominations is Dec. 1-4.
“Especially right now, people’s financial situation can change rapidly,” Keys said. “Maybe you didn’t know you needed help 4 or 5 months ago. Or maybe you were in survival mode and weren’t thinking about the holidays and now it’s upon you. We go right up to December with the cut-offs.”
It serves children of all ages, including teenagers. Due to limited resources or other reasons, many organizations have an age cutoff for their toy drives. O:SS seeks to serve children of all ages, including teenagers. In fact, there are other local organizations that send their teenage applicants to O:SS.
“Teens are hyper aware of what their peers have, and they need to be loved on as much as anybody,” Keys said.
Gifts AND meals are part of the package. Though the organization initially began as a toy drive, upon realizing the number of families that it was serving who were also experiencing food insecurity, the organization started including a shelf-stable pantry box in 2020. This year’s pantry box includes ingredients for a Christmas casserole and holiday breakfast, with a recipe card to help guide families through the steps of assembling. As for toys and other gifts, the organization collects them year-round and activates hundreds of volunteers to hand-select items for each family based on their application. Volunteers hand-deliver the meal kits and gift items to the families’ doorsteps in the days leading up to Christmas.
It’s a 100% volunteer-based organization. The Operation: Secret Santa team has no paid employees, and to keep the overhead costs at an absolute minimum, its all-volunteer board works hard year-round to secure in-kind donations — everything from workshop space and internet service to paper towels, toilet paper, snacks, beverages and other items that keep the workshop running. As a result, nearly 100% of all monetary donations go directly toward the families served.
The final weeks leading up to Christmas will be especially busy, and the organization is seeking help to ensure that as many families as possible can be served.
Donations of toys (new and in the original packaging) for kids of all ages, as well as specific food items for a holiday pantry box, will be accepted at the Operation: Secret Santa warehouse in December.
PHOTOS BY MICK JEFFRIES
Ways that you can help:
Donate money. “Funding is our first and foremost need,” Keys said. “We’re really good at stretching our dollars.” At the time of publication, Operation: Secret Santa was working to raise funds to purchase a collection of pallets of high-quality toys that had been offered to the organization at wholesale cost; financial needs will continue to be higher than ever throughout the rest of this holiday season.
Donating via ZEFFY is the best way to ensure the organization gets 100% of your donation and that the funds are available to them immediately; Venmo donations are also an option. A link to donate can be found at the organization’s website, www.operationsecretsanta.org (note: the listed nonprofit name is Lift Up Lexington).
Donate toy/gift items. Donations of toys, clothing and other gift items — new and in original packaging — will be accepted at the workshop (350 Elaine Dr.) on Dec. 3 (9 a.m.- 6 p.m.) or between Dec. 8-21 (hours vary; check website or social media for updates). Gifts for children of all ages are accepted, with gifts for teenagers generally the greatest need. Amazon and Wal-mart wishlists are posted at linktr.ee/operationsecretsantalex.
Donate food items. In addition to accepting donations of specific food items for the pantry boxes, the organization is opening up an option this year for businesses or other groups to put together food boxes themselves. Donations can be dropped off at the warehouse on Dec. 3 between 9 a.m.-6 p.m. or a drop-off can be scheduled with coordinators. Email opsecretsantafooddrive@gmail.com for a list of food items needed and to schedule a drop-off time outside that window.
Volunteer. Volunteer sign-ups will be posted on O:SS’s website and social media at noon on Dec. 1. Shifts will include food boxing on Dec. 6-7 and helping organize the toy workshop / making deliveries between Dec. 8-22.
Sing your heart out at Christmas Karaoke. Chevy Chase Inn will host a Christmas Karaoke night to benefit Operation Secret Santa on Dec. 5.
More details can be found at www.operationsecretsanta.org, or at Operation: Secret Santa on Facebook or Instagram.
DEC 2ND
The GoodGiving Challenge is now:
Driving Local Impact
230 Participating Nonprofits
A
Caring Place
A Chance to Dance
A Sense of Place - Lexington’s Black Hamlets
Access Ministries dba McLeods Coffee House
ActOut Theatre Group
African American Ballet Troupe
African American Genealogy Society of Kentucky
Allegro Dance Project
Alpha Beta Lambda Chapter Education Foundation
Alzheimer’s Association of Greater KY & Southern IN
AMEN House
American Spiritual Ensemble
AppalReD Legal Aid
Arbor Youth Services
Art Center of the Bluegrass
Arts Commission of Danville/Boyle County
Arts Connect
Ashland Terrace
AVOL Kentucky
Baby Health
BedHeads
Betty’s Brave & Beautiful Hearts Foundation
Bike Walk Kentucky
Black Male Working Academy
Black Yarn
Blessing Hands
Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation
Bluegrass Care Navigators
Bluegrass Community and Technical College - Winchester
Bluegrass Greensource
Bluegrass Heritage Museum
Bluegrass Land Conservancy
Bluegrass Ovarian Cancer Support
Bluegrass Parkinson’s Alliance
Bluegrass Youth Ballet
Broke Spoke Community Bike Shop
Camp Horsin’ Around
Caritas Care Solutions
Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning
Casa de la Cultura Kentucky
CASA of Lexington
Catholic Education Opportunities Foundation
Central Kentucky Riding for Hope
Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras
Central Music Academy
Charlie’s Heart Charity
Child Care Council of Kentucky
Children’s Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass
Chrysalis House
CivicLex
Clark County Community Services
Clark County Equity Coalition
Clark County Homeless Coalition
Clark County Youth Sports Association
Common Good, CDC
Community Inspired Lexington
Community Response Coalition of Kentucky Inc. (CRCKY)
ComposeArts
Cuddles & Coo Diaper Pantry
Cynthiana-Harrison County Chamber Foundation
Digital Access Project of Kentucky
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Committee
DV8 Kitchen Vocational Training Foundation
E7 Kids Cafe
Easterseals Bluegrass
Exhilarating Inc.
Family Services Association of Boyle County
Fayette Cooperating Preschool
Fayette County 4-H Council
Fayette County Bar Foundation
Fayette Eating, Education & Delivery-FEED
FC Kentucky
FoodChain
Fostering Goodwill
Foundation for Affordable Housing
Freedom Bridges
Friends of Huntertown Community Interpretive Park
Friends of Parks and Recreation
Friends of the Clark County Animal Shelter
Friends of the Lexington Senior Centers
Friends of the Parks in Fayette County
Glean Kentucky
Gleanings Housing
God’s Pantry Food Bank
Grace Cafe
Green Forests Work
GreenHouse17
GreenRoom Exchange
Habitat for Humanity of Madison & Clark Counties
Harstad Fine Arts Series
Holly Rood
Hope Center
HOPE Spay Neuter Clinic
Hospice Care Plus
Hospice East
Starts on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2nd 6am to midnight
Imagination Library of Frankfort
Isaiah House
ITNBluegrass
Jessamine County Homeless Coalition
Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass
Josephine Sculpture Park
Jubilee Jobs of Lexington
Just Fund Education Project
Kappa Tau Alumni Association
Kentucky Center For Economic Policy
Kentucky Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty
Kentucky Equine Adoption Center
Kentucky Heartwood
Kentucky Horse Park Foundation
Kentucky Natural Lands Trust
Kentucky Refugee Ministries Lexington
Kentucky Resources Council
Kentucky State University Foundation
Kentucky Student Voice Team
Kentucky United Methodist Children’s Homes
Kentucky Watershed Watch
Key Assets Kentucky
Kingdom Mission Outreach
KORE Academy
KSDAR Endowed Fund for Duncan Tavern Historic Center
KY Foundation for Black Women and Families
League of Women Voters of Lexington
Leeds Center for the Arts
Legacy Greenscapes
Legal Aid of the Bluegrass
LexArts
Lexington African-American Sports Hall of Fame
Lexington Art League
Lexington Children’s Museum
Lexington Children’s Theatre
Lexington Community Orchestra
Lexington Friends Preschool
Lexington Habitat for Humanity
Lexington History Museum
Lexington Humane Society
Lexington Leadership Foundation
Lexington Montessori School
Lexington Philharmonic
Lexington Pride Center
Lexington Rescue Mission
Licking Valley Singers
Life Adventure Center
Lift Up Lexington
Lighthouse Ministries
Lower Howard’s Creek Nature and Heritage
Preserve
Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center
M’Power Rhythm
Marafiki Center
Marco Shemwell Foundation
Mary Todd Lincoln House
Master-Pieced
Mentors & Meals
Micah Legal
Mission Health Lexington
Moveable Feast Lexington
NABA-Central Kentucky
Natalie’s Sisters
Nathaniel Mission
Neighbors Immigration Clinic
New Beginnings of Winchester
New Opportunity School for Women
Newton’s Attic
Northside Common Market
Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass
One Parent Scholar House
Operation Be You
Operation Making A Change
Organic Association of Kentucky
Paris Independent Schools Education Foundation
Partners for Youth
Partners In Education
Pearls of Service Foundation
Phoenix Rising Lexington
Pioneer Playhouse
Primate Rescue Center
Project Ricochet
Providence Montessori School
RADIOLEX
Rapha Ministries
Red Oaks Center for Nature and the Arts
Redwood Cooperative School
Refuge Clinic
Refuge for Women
Rhema Word Foundation
Rohs Theatre Company
Rose Mary C. Brooks Place
Rowland Arts Center
Sayre Christian Village
Seedleaf
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
Sisters Road To Freedom
Society of Saint Vincent De Paul Saint Joseph Conference
Spark of Hope (Spark Community Cafe)
Spay Our Strays
Sphinx Academy
St. Agatha Academy
St. Mary School (Paris)
Step By Step
STRIDE Program
Studio Players
Sunrise Children’s Services
Surgery on Sunday
Sustainable Berea
Swimchester Sailfish
TAR Syndrome Association
The Aviation Museum of Kentucky
The Beacon of Hope Emergency Shelter
The Black Soil Charitable Fund, Inc.
The Kentucky Center for Grieving Children and Families
The Lexington Theatre Company
The Living Arts & Science Center
The Nest - Center for Women, Children & Families
The Toy Chest Corporation TKs Special Programs
Transform Scott County Trees Lexington!
United Way of the Bluegrass Uniting Voices Lexington
Urban League of Lexington - Fayette County
WalkBike Frankfort
Wanda Joyce Robinson Foundation
West End Community Empowerment Project
Winchester Black History & Heritage Committee
Winchester Christian Ballet
Winchester Community Work Group
WinCity Media
Woodford Habitat for Humanity
Woodford Theatre
Woods & Waters Land Trust
YOU ARE CO.
Thanks to our generous sponsors
Clark County Community Foundation*
Outlaw State of Kind
Hometown Fund*
Marksbury Family Foundation
James A. and Martha R. Brown
Charitable Foundation
Mitchell Family Foundation*
Thomson R. Bryant Jr. & Betty R. Bryant Fund*
Evangelos “Angel” Levas Foundation*
Traditional Bank
Mason Investments
THE GROOVALUTION*
Independence Bank
Edith D. Gardner Charitable Fund*
Lexington Black Prosperity Initiative*
Lexington Legends
Mahan Multimedia and Blue Grass
Community Foundation!
*at Blue Grass Community Foundation
ALBUMS OF THE YEAR
BY CUT CORNER RECORDS STAFF
While the beloved local record shop CD Central may have closed its doors this year after 30 years of business, our friends at Cut Corner Records, which took over CD Central’s space in September, have picked up on our running tradition of having staff members provide snippets about their favorite albums that came out this year. Read on for holiday gift ideas for the music geeks in your life or for your own year-end listening!
BY MICK JEFFRIES
Picks from Bob Lewis:
Deep Sea Diver: “Billboard Heart”
Deep Sea Diver’s Jessica Dobson is the rare triple threat of singer, songwriter, and guitar hero. But she’s not the shredding kind, playing instead to serve the song, firing off a distorted solo as easily as she does waves of texture, tight and to the point. She formerly served as a touring guitarist for Beck and The Shins, and it’s easy to see why.
Matt Berry: “Heard Noises”
Matt Berry isn’t just Jackie Daytona, the regular human bartender from Tucson, Arizona he protrays on the FX show “What We Do in the Shadows” — he’s also a brilliant musician who’s released 13 albums. “Heard Noises” is a lovely slice of psychedelic rock, that showcases Berry’s versatility and talent while leaving you feeling like you’ve discovered a hidden gem from the 1960s.
Sharp Pins: “Radio DDR”
“Every Time I Hear” starts with a Hüsker Dü vibe, but its pop sound solidly incorporates a range of influences, from power to jangle pop. The solo project of Chicago-based musician Kai Slater, Sharp Pins manages to effortlessly conjure the spirit of the British Invasion and Guided By Voices, while delivering a string of hits from start to finish.
Japanese Breakfast:
“For Melancholy Brunettes” “For Melancholy Brunettes” marks a shift away from Japanese Breakfast’s usual bright pop sound of prior releases, with moody distortion and dreamlike synth. The opening track, “Here is Someone,” sets the tone with an ethereal, melancholic sound juxtaposed with hopeful lyrics. This is an album that rewards you over multiple listening sessions.
PHOTO
Cut Corner Records owners Bob Lewis (left) and Tony Manuel opened the record shop in former location of CD Central late this year.
Purity Ring: “Purity Ring”
Released this past September, the album presents the duo’s boldest concept yet: a sonic journey modeled after an RPG where two avatars traverse the ruins of a broken world in search of healing and hope. Sonically, it fuses ethereal vocals and gleaming synth pop with a touch of drum and bass, trance elements and glitchy video game textures, creating a dream-like alien soundscape. Separating itself from their previous records, this one shifts from catchy songs toward immersive atmospheres and emotional resonance — an immaculate album for late night listening.
Picks from Michael Wright:
Militarie Gun:
“God Save the Gun”
This L.A.-based, hardcore-adjacent band is making pop punk that I actually like. The music is super polished, with great breakdowns and build-ups that are super catchy. Lyrics seem to go one way, but end up taking you another direction. Fans of the band will dig the signature “ooh oohs” sprinkled throughout the record. It took me a few listens to get past the obvious hits, “Thought You Were Waving,” “BADIDEA” and “Throw Me Away.” They were all on playrepeat-play. But once I dug a little deeper, I started finding more of the goodness.
Stereolab: “Instant Holograms On Metal Film”
After a long 15-year wait, Stereolab returns with a banger of an album. A radiant mix of rhythmic grooves, dreamy synths and lush harmonies, the record feels fresh and forward looking. Carrying themes of autonomy and creative renewal, and reflecting on the strangeness of modern life, this elegant art-pop work shows us that re-emergence after silence can still sound vital and adventurous.
Darkside: “Nothing” This album surprised me when it dropped earlier this year. “Nothing” finds the trio expanding their sound into wilder, more unpredictable territory, balancing tight grooves with sprawling improvisation. The addition of drummer Tlacael Esparza gives the record a pulsing, organic energy that pushes against its electronic core. Moments of funk, dub and psychedelia swirl together to create a sense of motion and release. The album thrives in its own uncertainty, feeling restless at times, but ultimately transcends.
The Unknowns: “Looking from the Outside” Do you like classic punk? Do you like Australian punk? Are you craving some new classic punk from Australia? Look no further! Catchy driving punk rock that will burn through your preferred choice of listening device in about 28 minutes. If you are in your car, you’ll be on your second helping by the time you get across town!
Ty Segall: “Possession” Full confession, I like pretty much everything this guy does. So, it wasn’t a big surprise this ended up in heavy rotation in the car. The first impressions of the record didn’t hit me, but going back to it a few times had me loving it more and more. “Shoplifter,” “Possession,” “Skirts of Heaven,” and “Alive” are all favorites from this perfect fall/autumn record, with “Shoplifter” being the one super standout for me — damn, I really like that song!
Eli Winter: “A Trick of the Light”
This collection of great longform compositions with beautiful pedal steel kicks off with a stellar arrangement of “Arabian Nightingale,” originally done by Don Cherry and Ed Blackwell. The whole album is a sonic journey into many different styles.
S.G. Goodman:
“Planting By the Signs”
This one blew me away. I was already a fan of her last two releases, but this one feels a lot more raw and more personal, conveying a sense of yearning for something big while coming from somewhere so small.
Charley Crockett: “Dollar a Day”
In what is perhaps Crockett’s best songwriting since “Man From Waco,” the instrumentation is tight and the lyrics engaging. While the album is full of top-notch country, my favorite is the instrumental spaghetti western track “Age of the Ram.” n
Picks from Elizabeth O’Dell:
Picks from Ronnie Donahue:
Coles 735 Main’s Rich Chocolate Brownies
'Tis the season for decadent sweets! Impress your favorite teachers, co-workers or neighbors with a gifted tin of these chef-elevated brownies — or eat them all yourself! No judgment here.
RECIPE BY MEGAN DUFFY, CHEF DE CUISINE AT COLES 735 MAIN
Ingredients:
• 1 pound (about 2 cups) semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks
• ½ pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• Nonstick spray or butter (for greasing)
• Parchment paper
Method:
In a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water (double boiler), melt the chocolate and butter together. Stir until smooth, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder and baking soda. Sift if you want a smoother texture.
Lightly grease a 9x13-inch pan with nonstick spray or butter.
Line with parchment paper and grease the paper too. In another heatproof bowl over the simmering water, whisk the eggs and sugar constantly until warm to the touch (about 135°F). Remove from heat.
In a large bowl, combine the warm egg mixture with the vanilla and dry ingredients until just combined. Add the melted chocolate mixture and stir until smooth and glossy.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake at 325°F for 12–15 minutes, rotating halfway through. The brownies are done when the top is set but the center is still slightly soft.
Let the brownies cool completely in the pan (or chill in the fridge for cleaner slices).
Trim the edges if you like, then cut into 12 even squares.
For added decadence, serve topped with ice cream, chocolate or caramel sauce, nuts or other favorite toppings.
Keep brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week. n
PHOTO FURNISHED BY COLES 735 MAIN
Coconut Rum
Hot Cocoa
With forecasters calling for colder-thanaverage temps this winter, we are stockpiling ideas for winter beverages that will help us stay warm. Elevated with hints of coconut for a slight tropical nod, this hot cocoa is a great recipe to help fill your favorite holiday mug and warm your bones by the fire this season.
Ingredients:
• 1 cup coconut milk (we used the unsweetened kind that comes in a box; whole milk can be substituted if you prefer less coconut flavor or want a thicker version)
• 2 ounces coconut rum (omit for an equally delicious non-alcoholic version)
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Toasted coconut flakes, for garnish
Method:
Heat the coconut milk in a saucepan over low heat. Whisk in brown sugar, cocoa powder and vanilla extract until smooth.
Once hot, remove from heat and stir in the rum. Pour into mug and top with toasted coconut flakes. ■
Chad
Matt
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Events Calendar
CONCERTS & GIGS
Andrea Bocelli. Dec. 6. This evening with the iconic Italian tenor will feature holidaythemed selections and the Lexington Philharmonic in full flourish. 8 p.m. Rupp Arena, 430 W. Vine St. www.rupparena.com
Southland Jamboree: Liberty Road. Dec. 4. During winter months, this long-running bluegrass music series moves indoors, with a live bluegrass music band on a select Thursday each month from October through April. This month’s installment features Liberty Road. 7 p.m. Farish Theatre (in the Lexington Public Library Central Branch), 140 E. Main St. www. lexpublib.org
Jazz! Live at the Library: Michael Cruse and Threo. Dec. 11. Jazz at the Library presents live jazz performances on the second Thursday of every month, presented in partnership between Jamey Aebersold Jazz and the Jazz Arts Foundation. This month’s installment features Michael Cruse on trumpet, Tom Covello on contrabass, Dave McWhorter on drums and Keith McCutchen on piano. 7 p.m. Farish Theatre (in the Lexington Public Library Central Branch), 140 E. Main St. www.jazzartsfoundation.org
John Michael Montgomery. Dec. 12. The country music icon brings his farewell tour “The Road Home” to Lexington with a family-collaborative set of hits and heartfelt storytelling. 7 p.m. Rupp Arena, 430 W. Vine St. www.rupparena.com
Ginuwine. Dec. 13. The R&B hitmaker brings smooth vocals, seductive energy and fan favorites like “Pony,” for a night of throwback nostalgia and infectious groove. 8 p.m. Manchester Music Hall, 899 Manchester St. www.manchestermusichall.com
Andy Frasco & the U.N. Dec. 14. Known for their blend of blues, funk and rock with improvisational flair, Andy Frasco & the U.N. turn every show into a communal, joy-fueled experience. 8 p.m. The Burl, 375 Thompson Rd. www.theburlky.com
The Local Honeys. Dec. 19. The acclaimed Kentucky duo returns home to weave mountain tradition and heartfelt reflection into a mesmerizing live set. Local favorite Abby Hamilton will open the show. 8 p.m. The Burl, 375 Thompson Rd. www.theburlky.com
New Year’s Eve with the Bolo Mules. Dec. 30-31. Ring in the new year with two nights of rowdy, good-time country, honky-tonk swagger and singalong anthems from Lexington’s favorite throwback band. 8 p.m. The Burl, 375 Thompson Rd. www.theburlky.com Backed by the Lexington Philharmonic, Andrea Bocelli will perform at Rupp Arena on Dec. 6 .
Hollerday GitDown with Nicholas Jamerson. Dec. 12-13. This annual two-night celebration of Appalachian soul and high-spirited revelry will feature central Kentucky songwriter Nicholas Jamerson and guest musicians Justin Clyde Williams (Dec. 12) and Emily Jamerson (Dec. 13). 8 p.m. The Burl, 375 Thompson Rd. www. theburlky.com
Troubadour Concert Series: Over the Rhine Holiday Concert. Dec. 10. Celebrated Ohio duo Karin Bergquist and Linford Detweiler will bring over 30 years of soul-nourishing songwriting and holiday resonance to the stage. 7:30 p.m. Kentucky Theatre, 214 E. Main St. www. troubashow.com
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Prism Wellness Services
Wellness in a New Light. In-person & telehealth appointments available. Most major insurance plans accepted. Facebook: prismlex • Instagram @prismlex1
TrainMovePlay
“This year I committed to fi
ART & EXHIBITS
“3x33–2025: The Power of Three.” On display through Dec. 6. Luigart Event Gallery celebrates local creativity with 33 artists each presenting three related works across painting, sculpture, photography and mixed media — 99 pieces in total. Curated by Marco Logsdon and Mary Rezny, the exhibition highlights the diversity and strength of Lexington’s visual arts community. Gallery hours: Fri.-Sun., 1-5 p.m., and by appointment. LuigART Event Gallery, 110 Luigart Ct. www.luigartgallery.com
The Nude Biennial. On display Dec. 12-Jan. 30. The Lexington Art League revives one of its most anticipated traditions with “The Nude Biennial,” a juried exhibition celebrating contemporary interpretations of the human form by Kentucky artists. Presented at the historic Loudoun House, the show features painting, sculpture, photography and mixed media works exploring vulnerability, strength and identity through figurative art. Opening reception and awards: Dec. 12. Gallery hours: Wed.-Sat., 12-5 p.m., and by appointment. Loudoun House, 209 Castlewood Dr. www.lexingtonartleague.org
Casey Joiner: Housekeeping. On display through Dec. 20. Institute 193 presents “Housekeeping,” a poignant photographic exhibition by New Orleans-based artist Casey Joiner. Created in the years surrounding her father’s illness and passing, Joiner’s images move through still lifes, interiors and imagined portraits to explore memory, grief and the fragile architecture of family life. Her work blurs the line between documentation and remembrance, evoking both the tenderness and disorientation of loss. Gallery hours: Wed.-Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Institute 193, 215 N. Limestone. www.institute193.org
Mona Lisa. On display through Dec. 23. New Editions Gallery presents an imaginative group exhibition inspired by one of the most recognizable faces in art history. Twenty-six regional and national artists reinterpret the iconic Mona Lisa through painting, sculpture and mixed media. Gallery hours: Tue.-Sat., 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. New Editions Gallery, 500 W. Short St. www. neweditionsgallery.com
IMAGE FURNISHED
"Untitled" by Ed Franklin is among the works featured in this year's "3x33" exhibit, on display at Luigart Gallery.
ETC.
Bluegrass Gives. Dec. 2. Formerly known as the Good Giving Guide Challenge, this regional giving event unites donors across Central and Eastern Kentucky in support of local non profits, schools and community initiatives. Hosted by the Blue Grass Community Foundation, the campaign is moving to a “24 hours only” model this year, taking place on Giving Tues day. Bluegrass Gives empowers residents to make a collective impact, helping strengthen arts, education and health and human services organizations across the region. Donations accepted online throughout the day. www.bggives.org
Harlem Globetrotters. Dec. 6. The world-famous basketball entertainers bring their 100-Year Tour to Lexington, with jawdropping tricks, fan interactions and nostalgia-rich spectacle. 3 p.m. Rupp Arena, 430 W. Vine St. www.rupparena.com
The Lexington Antiques Show at Athens. Dec. 13-14. This monthly antiques show taking place the second Saturday and Sunday of each month features a wide range of furniture, primitive cupboards, vintage Kentucky and Bybee pottery, estate jewelry, 40's-60's glassware, Kentucky collectibles, vintage furs and clothing, coins, artwork, phonographs and more. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Athens Schoolhouse, 6270 Athens Walnut Hill Pike. www.thelexingtonantiqueshow.com.
Freaky Fridays: “True Stories.” Dec. 19. David Byrne’s cult classic returns to the big screen as part of Kentucky Theatre’s Freaky Fridays series. The 1986 film — a surreal blend of music, comedy and Americana — follows a small Texas town preparing for its 150th anniversary, narrated by Byrne himself and featuring John Goodman in one of his earliest roles. Expect eccentric characters, Talking Heads tunes, and a joyful dose of 1980s weirdness. 10 p.m. Kentucky Theatre, 214 E. Main St. www.kentuckytheatre.org
Classical Music Sunday: Ballads of John Jacob Niles. Dec. 21. The library’s monthly classical series features J.C. Hamilton, Riley Ledford and Bernardo Scarambone (emcee) performing beloved ballads collected by Kentucky folk icon John Jacob Niles. 2:30-3:30 p.m. Central Library, Farish Theater, 140 E. Main St. www.lexpublib.org
Horror Movie Club: “Black Christmas.” Dec. 27. The original 1974 slasher classic screens as part of the Lexington Public Library’s cult horror series. When a group of sorority sisters begin receiving disturbing phone calls over winter break, the tension escalates into a night of terror. 2-4 p.m. Central Library, Farish Theater, 140 E. Main St. www.lexpublib.org
The Kentucky Theatre will screen David Byrne's "True Stories" on Dec. 19.
PHOTO FURNISHED
HOLIDAY EVENTS
A Kentucky Christmas at Ashland. Dec. 1-6. Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate will celebrate the holidays with a five-day Christmas shopping experience featuring a curated selection of local goods and taking place in the Keeper’s Cottage, open during standard museum hours Dec. 1-6. On Dec. 6, Santa will be on hand for pictures with children and pets and seasonal refreshments will be available; at dusk that evening, Ashland’s outdoor Christmas tree will be illuminated for the first time. Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate, 120 Sycamore Road. www.henryclay.org
Slay Bells: A Holiday Drag & Variety Show. Dec. 7. The Lyric Theatre will deck the halls with an evening of drag, comedy and high-voltage holiday entertainment in this benefit for Moveable Feast Lexington. Dazzling drag performances, festive music and over-the-top glamour will abound in this beloved seasonal showcase celebrating inclusivity and joy. 5-10 p.m. Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center, 300 E. Third St. www.lexingtonlyric.com
The Rink at Triangle Park. Daily through Jan. 4. Ice skating in the center of downtown is a classic holiday tradition with friends and family or a special event. Mon.-Fri., 4-8:30 p.m.; Sat., 12:30-8:30 p.m.; Sun., 1-8 p.m. with extended hours during FCPS winter break. Triangle Park, 400 W. Main St. www.downtownlex.com
Southern Lights Holiday Festival. Daily through Dec. 31. This annual event has been helping Kentuckians get in the festive spirit for more than 20 years. Attendees can drive through more than three miles of extravagant holiday lights before heading inside to meet Santa, visit a petting zoo or take mini-train rides. Open daily 5:30-10 p.m. (closed on Christmas Day). Kentucky Horse Park, 3785 Campground Road. www.khpfoundation.org
Christmas at Mustard Seed Hill. Select evenings Nov. 28-Dec. 23. This historic campus will transform into a glowing spectacle, with a dazzling light display and other enchanting features. Highlights include a magnificent gingerbread exhibit; an artisans’ market with handcrafted gifts; a holiday tent cafè with live music; and gourmet food trucks. Christmas campfires, carriage rides, holiday tea, supper club, and season passes also available. Mustard Seed Hill, 1122 Main St., Millersburg, Ky. www. mustardseedhill.events
Luminate Lexington: Official Tree Lighting Ceremony. Nov. 30. Lexington’s official Christmas tree will be lit with beautiful lights; Lexington’s Hanukkah menorah will shine; and community choirs will sing festive songs that will put everyone in the holiday spirit during this official city holiday festival. 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Triangle Park, 400 W. Main St. www.downtownlex.com
Holidays at Shaker Village. Various dates in December. Shaker Village will transform into a holiday wonderland, with lively music, roaring fires, candlelight tours and more. The grounds will feature a variety of performers, programs and tours, including photos with Santa, a crafting station at the Elf Shop, bonfires, hot drink stations, a Jingle Bell Shuttle and more. For more, visit shakervillageky.org/ event-calendar.
Downtown Lexington
Christmas Parade. Dec. 6.
Santa Claus is coming to (down)town! This holiday parade presented by Commonwealth Credit Union will feature a variety of organizations, bands, floats, and, of course, Santa himself. 11 a.m. Main Street between Midland Avenue and Mill Street. www. downtownlex.com
Holly Day Market. Dec. 6-7. The Holly Day Market brings together more than 80 vendors from across the country for a weekend of holiday shopping. Vendors sell jewelry, clothes, toys, books,
holiday decorations, ornaments, art, food and much more. Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.- 5 p.m., with a ticketed preview party on Friday, Dec. 5, from 5-9 p.m. Alltech Arena at Kentucky Horse Park, 4089 Iron Works Pkwy. lexington.jl.org
Crafted Social Winter Market. Dec. 6-7. This event unites traditional and contemporary artists, craftspeople and functional designers for a two-day festive market ripe with locally made holiday gifts. Preview party on Fri., 6-9 p.m.; main shopping event on Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Greyline Station, 101 W. Loudon Ave. www.crafted socialky.com
Michler’s Christmas Market. Dec 6-7. Michler’s Greenhouse will provide the idyllic setting for a romantic
Christmas Market, featuring pastries, music, and a diverse array of artists and artisans showcasing locally-made ceramics, jewelry, cards, toys, soaps, scarves, ornaments and more. Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-4 p.m.. Michler’s Greenhouse, 417 E. Maxwell St. www.michlers.com
Trans-Siberian Orchestra's The Ghosts of Christmas Eve. Dec. 10. With an unparalleled blend of rock, classical and theatrical spectacle, this show promises a reimagined and expanded presentation of the beloved holiday tradition, “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve,” alongside a special second set of hits and fan-favorites that includes a 25th-anniversary salute to Beethoven's Last Night. 7 p.m. Rupp Arena, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY. www.centralbankcenter.com
PHOTO FURNISHED
Shaker Village transforms into a winter wonderland throughout the month of December, with indoor and outdoor decorations, candlelight tours and more.
HOLIDAY EVENTS
Lexington Singers and LexPhil: “A Cathedral Christmas.” Dec. 12-13. LexPhil and The Lexington Singers return to the Cathedral of Christ the King for this holiday tradition in a program of timeless orchestral and choral works. This aweinspiring musical experience in a divine setting will transport audience members to a place of peace while evoking the spirit of the holiday season. 8 p.m. Cathedral of Christ the King, 299 Colony Blvd. lexphil.org
Kentucky Ballet Theatre: “The Nutcracker.” Dec. 13-14 and 20. Kentucky Ballet Theatre presents its rendition of this magical Christmas ballet set to the music of Tchaikovsky. This holiday performance features Drosselmeyer and Clara, along with a cast of snowflakes, mice, soldiers, angels, fairies, and, of course, the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. Sat., 2 and 7 p.m., Sun., 2 p.m. Lexington Opera House, 401 W Short St, Lexington, KY. www.centralbankcenter.com
Lexington Ballet: “The Nutcracker Sweets.” Dec. 19-20. The classic holiday performance returns with an enchanting production designed to delight audience members of all ages. Join Marie on a magical journey with the Sugar Plum Fairy, waltzing flowers, the Snow Queen and the Nutcracker prince, as they battle the Mouse Queen and travel to the Land of Sweets. Fri., 7:30 p.m. and Sat., 2 p.m. Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St. www.lexingtonballet.org n
Dolly Parton’s “Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol.” Dec. 26-28. Featuring songs by Dolly Parton and book by David H. Bell, this incredibly heartwarming, unforgettable production and amazing cast imagines Ebenezer Scrooge as the owner of a mining company town, where his callous greed blinds him to the joys and gifts of the season until he is visited by his past and is compelled to see life anew. Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St. www.centralbankcenter.com n
SMILEY PETE’S RETAIL GUIDE
PHOTO FURNISHED
Lexington Ballet presents its annual iteration of "The Nutcracker" at the Lexington Opera House Dec. 19-20.
PETE’S PROPERTIES
Residential Property Transactions
40502
2013 St. Christopher Dr. $195,000
260 Lincoln Ave. $230,000
1011 Fontaine Rd. $500,000
2937 Montavesta Rd. $545,000
16 Richmond Ave. $555,000
561 Albany Rd. $675,000
427 Dudley Rd. $690,000
1554 Tates Creek Rd. $725,000
424 Ridgeway Rd. $752,000
429 Ridgeway Rd. $860,000
164 Idle Hour Dr. $880,000
512 Chinoe Rd. $1,045,000
905 Lakewood Dr. $1,050,000
Kingsway Dr. $1,138,000
40503
3470 Clays Mill Rd. $127,450 242 Tahoma Rd. $520,000 337 Arcadia Park $575,000 306 Blueberry Rd. $600,000 1980 Blackhorse Ln. $625,000
40513
3640 Cottage Cir. $305,000 3624 Cottage Cir. $327,500 2108 Sovereign Ln. $460,000
2204 Madrone Way $501,000 2105 Mangrove Dr. $512,500 2212 Madrone Way $525,000
2605 Clubside Ct. $565,000 4291 Captains Ct. $712,000 2209 Barnwell Ln. $720,000 4845 Firebrook Blvd. $735,000 1313 Cordele Ln. $1,330,000
40514
2499 Harrods Pointe Trce. $285,000
1453 Copper Run Blvd. $485,000
1340 Copper Creek Dr. $495,000
2156 Tracery Oaks Dr. $610,000
40515
4748 Windstar Way $416,200
4013 Brookwater Ct. $595,000
2204 Woodburn Hall Rd. $730,000 n
Recent arm’s length residential sales for this magazine’s distribution area. Information compiled by Fayette County Property Valuation Administrator David O’Neill. For more information on any of these properties, or others, please visit www.fayettepva.com.
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