Ace Magazine - Lexington, KY | April 2023

EDITRIX

Rhonda Reeves

CONTRIBUTORS

Evan Albert, Rob Brezny, Erin Chandler, Walter Cornett, Kevin Elliot, Atanas Golev, Trish Hatler, Austin Johnson, Bridget Johnson, Johnny Lackey, Paul Martin, Megan McCardwell, Michael Jansen Miller, Kevin Nance, Claire Ramsay, Kristina Rosen, Tom Yates, Kakie Urch

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COPYRIGHT © 2023

‘Open

“Increasingly recognized as an expert on the potential of AI in education — ABC’s Good Morning America, PBS NewsHour and the Chicago Tribune recently interviewed Piercey on the topic — he sees artificial intelligence as just the latest of many technological innovations that can be harnessed to engage and inspire young minds.”

P6

BUSINESS NEWS

P12

CALENDAR

April pull-out centerfold

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HEALTH AND WELLNESS

P16

ACE EATS OUT

P19

CLASSIFIEDS + ASTRO + PET PICK

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HOME AND GARDEN

P22

REAL ESTATE

Real Estate: What Sold, Where, for How Much?

Breeders’ Cup brought $80 Million+ to Lexington Economy

The 2022 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland generated a total estimated economic impact of more than $81.8 million in Lexington and the surrounding areas, according to results released March 17 from a study by the University of Louisville.

The study done by economics professor Dr. Thomas E. Lambert showed the 2022 World Championships produced the second-highest economic impact recorded in Breeders’ Cup history, following the record set in 2017 at Del Mar. The 2022 event’s economic punch was 25.8% higher than the 2015 Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland, which generated an economic impact estimated at $65 million.

On top of these strong economic indicators, the 2022 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, held last Nov. 4-5, generated record global wagering of $189.1 million, the highest in Breeders’ Cup history, 3.4% higher than the prior record of $182.9 million set in 2021. Records were also set for individual day wagering totals with Future Stars Friday registering $66.1 million and the Saturday program amassing $122.9 million.

“When the Breeders’ Cup comes to town, Lexington has the opportunity to step into the international spotlight and demonstrate why we are known as the Horse Capital of the World. Clearly, we’re home to the best track in the world, Keeneland, and to the best Thoroughbreds,” Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton said. “However, the Breeders’ Cup is about much more than bragging rights. The event has a significant economic impact that helps our hotels, our restaurants, and our entire community.”

City Launches “One-Stop Lexington”

In an effort to provide 24-hour access to permitting and zoning processes, the City announced the launch of a new one-stop online permit discovery tool, “One-Stop Lexington.” The new tool will allow business owners and homeowners to more easily navigate the construction permit process.

Congratulations to Palmetto Moon on their recent ribbon cutting.

One-Stop Lexington, now live at onestop. lexingtonky.gov, involves a zoning portal, commercial construction portal, and residential construction portal. The page helps business owners and residents who are starting complex projects, like a new construction or renovation project, to more easily be guided through the City’s permitting requirements. It also provides an opportunity for developers new to Lexington to learn more about the City’s permitting and licensing requirements. The site provides a customized guide to help applicants understand the permits and licenses their project will need, as well as associated costs.

BUSINESS CALENDAR

APR 8

Lexington Young Professionals Association is co-sponsoring a Keeneland Tailgate with The Somebody Society, on the Hill at Keeneland.

APR 13

Fayette County Public Schools is hosting, “Elevate,” an opportunity for emerging teachers, leaders, professionals, and aspiring educators within and beyond the district to engage with

current FCPS district-level and school-level staff and community partners. This is not a traditional job fair. This is a networking event designed to help you begin or ELEVATE your current career with FCPS. Are you ready to ELEVATE? This event is hosted by the FCPS Department of Human Resources. If you have additional questions, please send a direct message or contact recruitment@fayette.kyschools.us. 4 pm to 7 pm, Marriott Griffin Gate.

LYPA’s next networking happy hour will be at the recently opened Myriad Meadery on National Avenue, April 13th 5:30-7:30pm. Come network, meet new people, and check out the new venue. 21 and over please.

APR 17

Join The Melodeon downtown at The Grove Lex for an evening of networking and celebrating women. This event is open to women who want to network, chat, and empower other local women in business, 4 pm to 7 pm.

APR 19

Women Leading Kentucky hosts Networking After Hours at Bluegrass Care Navigators on Apr 19, 4:30 pm to 6 pm.

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Lexington mayor Linda Gorton officially proclaimed March 1 “Joe B Day” in Lexington. Joe Bologna opened his namesake restaurant 50 years ago.

Permission to Participate in Camp Activities

I understand and certify that my child’s participation in The Cathedral Domain’s activities is completely voluntary and I have familiarized myself with the camp’s program and activities in which my child will be participating. I recognize that certain hazards and dangers are inherent in the Cathedral Domain’s program including, but not limited to, swimming, rock climbing, repelling, hiking and caving. Although The Cathedral Domain has taken safety measures to minimize the risk of injury to camp participants, equipment, premises, and/or activities will I further recognize and have instructed my child in the importance of knowing and abiding by

As the parent or guardian of the camper listed on this application, I give my permission and I further give my permission and consent that any such photographs may be used by The Episcopal Diocese of Lexington, The Cathedral Domain, or the American Camp Association to illustrate and promote the camp experience, and/or The Cathedral Domain programs.

mate. The request must appear on both campers’ registration forms and the campers’ ages and grades must be the same. It is our policy to place siblings in different cabins unless otherwise

Our camp staff will work diligently and lovingly to make sure that all campers, especially those who may be feeling “new” or uncomfortable, are welcomed as members of the community of

If it is necessary to cancel, inform the camp immediately in writing. In case of cancellation, $200 of your registration fee is refundable up to 30 days before opening day of camp, $100 for mini camps. If a camper fails to “Show Up” at a camp and advanced notification of the cancellation has not been made in writing to The Cathedral Domain, the parents or guardians

Where all people

Area Egg Hunts

Below is a small sampling of Egg Hunts in the area offering fun for the whole family.

TUE APR 4

Join Kenwick staff at the Kenwick Center for an evening of family-friendly fun including face painting, free food, and an egg hunt with over 3000 eggs, plus a few extra special golden eggs! The egg hunt will take place at Kenwick Park in two sections, first for kids ages 11 and under from 5 – 5:30 p.m., then for kids ages 12 to 17 from 6 – 6:30 p.m.

SAT APR 8

Broadway Baptist is hiding 10,000+ Easter Eggs. All children through 5th grade are invited to the Easter Egg Hunt. Come early at 10 am to enjoy the petting zoo, inflatables, and more. Bring your own basket please.

Eastland Church of God will host an egg hunt for preK thru 5th grade, beginning at 10 am.

Hop on down the bunny trail and fill your basket with fun! Eckert’s Annual Egg Hunt features animals for petting, tractor rides around the farm, cookie decorating, face painting, duck pond, gift from the bunny, and a free photo scene with the Easter Bunny. Join in on the fun & continue making memories at our farm. Egg Hunt dates are April 1, 2, 7, and 8 until 4:30 pm.

Happy Easter from Elevate Christian Church! Hop on over to Shillito Park on Saturday, April 8th, and join us for a free Easter Egg Hunt. Arrive at Shelter #4, near the pool. The Easter egg hunt begins at 10:30 AM and food will start at 11 AM.

Lafayette Church of the Nazarene is hosting a Free Easter Egg Hunt for all ages. Over 2,000 Eggs! The event will be from 10am-2pm. There will be FREE inflatables and games, egg hunting, hot dogs, burgers, Easter Bunny photo opportunities and more.

• Ages 6 and under Egg Hunt at 11:00

• Ages 7 and up at 11:30

• Easter Eggs will be empty for the hunt and cashed in afterwards for free candy.

Porter Memorial Baptist Church is hosting a community egg hunt on Saturday, April 8 from 11:00am-1:00pm at Shillito Park in shelters 2 and 5. The egg hunt is open to kids in preschool- 5th grade. Don’t forget to bring a blanket or chair.

Join Waveland Historic Site for an Easter Egg Hunt, open to the public. Be sure to bring your basket to collect as many eggs as you can. For everyone’s safety and enjoyment, the egg hunt will be separated into age categories. There will be a face painting station, refreshments, photos with the Easter Bunny and more!

• Egg hunt will start at 1:15pm. Event ends at 2:30pm.

• There is parking on site, please follow the “private event” signs. The egg hunt will take place in the open field to the right of the barn, find your age section and get ready to hunt.

• Pre-register and RSVP online.

Early Adopters

Education’s Next Tech Wave

BY KEVIN NANCE

With new artificial intelligence programs being introduced seemingly every week over the past several months, alarm bells have been going off in school districts around the country, including Fayette County Public Schools, which is blocking most AI apps. Won’t AI chatbots like ChatGPT — which can write essays, among many other tasks — help students cheat on their homework? And how do we know what AI is capable of, for good or ill, in the classroom?

Donnie Piercey, a tech-savvy fifth-grade teacher at Stonewall Elementary School in Lexington and the 2021 Kentucky Teacher of the Year, is already working hard to find out. Increasingly recognized as an expert on the potential of AI in education — ABC’s Good Morning America, PBS NewsHour and the Chicago Tribune recently interviewed him on the topic — he sees artificial intelligence as just the latest of many technological innovations that can be harnessed to engage and inspire young minds.

“Every six months the shiny new thing rolls out,” says Piercey, 41, who teaches reading, writing, science, math and social studies. “Now it’s AI. Ten years ago it was Google apps. Two years before that it was smart boards in every classroom. Two years before that it was the iPad. So it’s a challenge to keep up with the latest trends, but teaching students about the new educational tools now rolling out is a really important part of a teacher’s job nowadays.”

In Piercey’s way of thinking, AI and other technologies (such as YouTube, which was

Piercey’s students used an augmented-reality app to allow school visitors to view a virtual gallery of student art, complete with videos of the artists talking about their creations.

widely blocked by schools early on but is now commonplace in classrooms around the country) aren’t just another way for students to consume information. They can also help students become creators. “With technology, you can collaborate with someone on a document and share it with your classmates,” he says. “Maybe you’ve got a video program on your school Chromebook and you’re learning how to film and edit a video for the first time, or record a podcast. So we just have to find the right balance between consumption and creation.”

Proving his point, Piercey’s own students are currently working on a podcast that will incorporate aspects of artificial intelligence and, in the process, demonstrate some of AI’s capabilities. The students are writing scripts — three-scene radio dramas, set in schools with themes like friendship, bullying, hope, and the importance of family — that they will record and present alongside scripts written by ChatGPT based on the same characters and themes.

“We’re going to release two episodes at a time, and the listener won’t be told which one’s written by the AI,” Piercey says. “So the question is, can you tell which one was written by the AI and which one by a fifth grader? It’s a lot more difficult than you think. We’re finding that most adults can’t tell. In one sense, that’s kind of scary. But in another sense, it’s incredible.”

Piercey’s embrace of AI in the classroom is a perfect example of his innovative spirit, says Willie Carver Jr., the 2022 Kentucky Teacher of the Year and the subject of an episode in Teachers Passing Notes, Piercey’s podcast series featuring Kentucky educators. “Everyone else is terrified of AI and responding with fear,” Carver says. “What does Donnie do? He brings it into the classroom and sees how the students feel about it. He doesn’t just give them all the answers. He likes to throw them in the water and watch them learn a new swimming technique.”

This openness to technological tools in education has been a hallmark of Piercey’s career as a Kentucky elementary school teacher. At Eminence Schools in Henry County, his students noticed that Google Earth’s street

views of their town hadn’t been updated in years, he says, “and they wanted to do something about that.” They convinced the school district to purchase a 360-degree virtual reality camera with two fisheye lenses, attached it to a tripod and a backpack and walked the town streets, collecting fresh imagery and then uploading it to Google Earth. “The students loved the fact that those images have been viewed millions of times, and that they could say, ‘We were able to share our community’s story.’”

When Piercey went to Antarctica on a National Geographic Teacher Fellowship in 2018, he created a series of videos in which expedition leaders and other experts answered his students’ questions about the White Continent. “They wanted to know about the impact of climate change in Antarctica, and how much penguin poop there was,” he recalls. (Answer: a lot. “I can’t get the smell of penguin poop out of my nose.”)

More recently, Piercey’s students used an augmented-reality app to allow school visitors to view a virtual gallery of student art, complete with videos of the artists talking about their creations.

“The great thing about Donnie is the way he’s always showing his students ways to

be connected to the real world through technology,” says Toni Konz Tatman, chief communications officer of the Kentucky Department of Education. “He’s not just looking to see what’s out there. He’s looking to see what’s coming.”

What’s not coming, Piercey is confident, is a wave of AI-enabled classroom cheating. He trusts his students, for one thing. And if they’re tempted to cheat, he’ll be ready, aided by yet another technological tool: textanalysis programs that use algorithms that can detect AI-generated prose. Not that he’s likely to need it. “Eight months into the school year, I know what their voices sound like when they write. If one day they’re writing sentence fragments and the next day they’re turning in essays at a tenth-grade level, I’ll know,” he says. “One concern I have about it is if a student worked their tail off to make sure it was really well written, the AI detector might flag a sentence. I don’t want that student to have a panic attack and think, ‘Oh my gosh, this means I have to change my writing.’”

Piercey’s students are writing scripts that they will record and present alongside scripts written by ChatGPT based on the same characters and themes….the listener won’t be told which one’s written by the AI.

“The great thing about Donnie is the way he’s always showing his students ways to be connected to the real world through technology.”

—Toni Konz Tatman, Kentucky Department of Education.

AROUND

VISIT ACEMAGAZINELEX.COM FOR EASTER PROGRAMMING/DINING.

9 16

EAT “TAI on Rye” the pop-up Jewish deli, returns! 11:30 am Temple Adath

Israel

SHOP Bluegrass Creative Market (new home at The Summit)

EAT Lexington Vegan Week kicks off

MUSIC Black Jacket

Symphony presents Tom Petty’s Full Moon Fever, Lexington Opera House

10 17

READ Kentucky Great Writers’ Series, Carnegie Center

MUSIC Woodsongs Kids, Lyric Theatre

COMEDY Bored Teachers Comedy Tour, Lexington Opera House

11 18

STAGE Dionne Warwick presents HITS! The Musical, Lexington Opera House

READ Lynn Cahoon signs Four Charming Spells, 7 pm, Joseph-Beth

TNL Greener Time Band, Pavilion

KIDS Disney on Ice, through the weekend, Rupp Arena

COMEDY April Macie, Comedy off Broadway (Thur-Sat)

CONCERT New Edition w/ Keith Sweat, 7:30, KFC Yum! Center

ART Spring ArtWalk, 6 pm downtown Paris

GREEN ReForest the Bluegrass, 9 am to 1 pm, Hisle Farm Park

KIDS SCAPA at Lafayette presents Disney’s Newsies, 7 pm, Lexington Opera House

Big Maracas, Pavilion

COMEDY

Chris Porter, 7 pm, Comedy off Broadway (Thur-Sat)

BALL UK Baseball vs. Texas A&M, 6:30, Kentucky Proud Park

RUN Horse Capital Marathon & HalfMarathon, 7:30 am, KY Horse Park Campground

MUSIC Abe Partridge, Woodsongs, Lyric Theatre

CONCERT Kenny Chesney, 7 pm, Rupp Arena

HORSE Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, Kentucky Horse

COMEDY Rodney Carrington, 7 pm, Singletary Center for the

GREEN Jacobson Park Earth Day Cleanup, 10 am

HG All About the Home expo, Bluegrass Stockyards

EAT ‘Smoke Off’ BBQ competition, 4 pm Mirror Twin

CONCERT Lizzo, 8 pm, Rupp Arena

KIDS Bluegrass Youth Ballet, Alice in Wonderland, 2 pm, Opera House

12 13 14 15 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

FAMILY Kite Fest, Noon, Masterson Station Park CONCERT pm, Rupp Arena

Cardinal Run Park North Expansion

Approved

The Mayor and Council have dedicated $10.1 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to design and develop Cardinal Run Park North. The plan for Cardinal Run North will align with changing needs and demographics

that were identified in the Lexington Parks & Recreation Master Plan, which provides guidance for parks, recreation, open space, and trails in Lexington. The design of the park will incorporate several natural features found on the property, including springs and karst topography.

The plan includes nature trails, sports courts and fields, a playground, dog park, and other amenities. A public engagement period took place to gather feedback and identify priorities for Cardinal Run Park North from the community, with around 75 participants attending the in-person meeting and 822 participants filling out an online survey. The results highlighted a high interest in nature trails, a playground, various sports courts and fields, and a dog park, among other ideas.

Community Paramedicine Program

At last month’’s Social Services and Public Safety Committee meeting, members received updates on the Community Paramedicine Program, the Substance Use Disorder Intervention Program, and Community Corrections. In existence since 2018, the Community Paramedicine Program responds by dispatching paramedics, not ambulances to

individuals needing care that may otherwise end up in the emergency room. The Paramedicine Program has been on the front end, leading the response to overdoses in our community. In 2022, the program provided help to over 350 unique individuals and responded to 1,800 individual overdoses. The program also builds relationships and provides post-acute crisis care.

HEALTH CALENDAR

SAT APR 1

Walk with a Doc at Fayette Mall. Fayette Mall hosts UK HealthCare and the international Walk with a Doc program to transform our community’s well-being. Walkers are joined by a leading health expert to learn about and discuss important health topics.

OF FLOATING

Each Walk with a Doc event is free and open to anyone interested in improving their health. Check-in is at 9:30 a.m. inside the food court entrance, then the walk begins. And did you know — one complete lap in the mall = 1 mile.

MON APR 3

April 3-9 is National Public Health week. This year’s theme is “Centering and Celebrating Cultures in Health.” The Lexington Fayette County Health Department will announce the 2023 Dr. Rice C. Leach Public Health Hero Award recipient.

SAT APR 15

Walk with a Doc at Fayette Mall. Saturday, April 15: Dr. Wanda Gonsalves, a retired UK HealthCare Family and Community Medicine physician, who currently helps students interested in becoming physicians. Check-in is at 9:30 a.m. inside the food court entrance.

APR 22

The band Spent’s 20th anniversary show at Manchester Music Hall benefits the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge. The Lexington

Hope Lodge is centrally located to cancer treatment centers in Lexington, Kentucky. There is no charge for lodging to guests, and guests are also provided free shuttle service, community kitchens, and gathering areas. Some guests stay in Lexington for months, away from their homes while being treated, and the Hope Lodge becomes their home away from home. Guests travel from various counties and neighboring states and staying at the lodge offers a relief to the already financial strain of battling cancer. Guitarist Ken Mars, a cancer survivor, says, “Four years ago, I did not think I was going to be able to make this anniversary concert, and now, more than ever, this concert has more purpose and meaning because it is supporting a wonderful organization!”

Spring Flooding Cleanup Guidelines

Spring typically brings flooding in Kentucky. The Lexing ton-Fayette County Health Department has shared tips for cleanup, and urges “Please use caution when cleaning out flooded homes.”

Floodwater can affect homes by damaging materials, introducing unknown contaminants including sewage and creating dampness throughout the home. They recommend taking the following steps during flooding:

• Keep children and pets out of the affected area until cleanup is completed.

• Wear rubber boots, rubber gloves and goggles during cleanup of affected area. Thoroughly clean all hard surfaces with hot water and laundry or dish detergent. After completing cleanup, wash your hands with soap and water. Wash clothes worn during cleanup in hot water and detergent, separately from uncontaminated clothes and linens.

• Remove and discard any item that cannot be washed and disinfected. Also, remove items that have been wet for more than 48 hours and cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried (these items can remain a source of mold growth and should be removed from the home).

• Prevent water outdoors from reentering your home. Water from gutters or the roof should drain away from the house; the ground around the house should slope away from the house to keep basements and crawl spaces dry. Ensure that crawl spaces in basements have proper draining to limit water seepage; ventilate to allow area to dry out.

• Floodwater often contains infectious organisms, including intestinal bacteria. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, muscle aches and fever. Most cases of sickness from flood conditions are caused by ingesting contaminated food or water.

• Seek immediate medical attention if you become injured or ill during cleanup.

ACE EATS OUT

April brings with it Spring, Keeneland, Easter, and a welcome return to dining al fresco. After a long, stormy winter, spring menus and patios will be the talk of the town.

BIRTHS

Andy’s Frozen Custard has opened its second Lexington location, this one on Richmond Road. Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint has opened in downtown Lexington on N. Limestone, in the spot most recently occupied by Oscar Diggs, nestled into a block anchored by current locals, Corto y Lima, Minglewood, and Sidebar.

STORM RECOVERY EFFORT

In order to resume daily operations as soon as possible, we are seeking DONATIONS for a cleanup fund. All donations are taxdeductible and will be used to remove downed trees, clear debris and make necessary repairs to the roof of the Ginkgo Tree Café.

Scan to watch the Maple Street Biscuit Company ribbon cutting.

Maple Street Biscuit Company has opened in Lexington, entering the bluegrass’s Battle of the Biscuits fray. The chain, acquired by Cracker Barrel in 2019, is located in the Zandale area on Nicholasville Road and serves up fast-casual breakfast fare. It joins Tudor’s Biscuit World (which arrived in 2019) and Biscuit Belly (2021) in the campaign for Lexington’s delicate, flaky soul. Biscuit Belly has announced plans for two new locations, one for Leestown and one for the Harrodsburg Road corridor.

OBITS

Burger Fi has exited the Lexington market; both Lexington locations (in Fayette Place and in Hamburg) are now closed, and a red notice was posted on the door of the Hamburg location in March, citing KRS 135.050.

Lady Remoulade has announced that they will not re-open after their winter closure.

Lexington Diner on Lane Allen closed its doors on March 19, announcing, “We would like to thank our guests who have supported us over the years. We have enjoyed being a part of the Lexington community, downtown, and in Gardenside neighborhood….We have shared many good times, food and drinks over the years. Thank you for spending so many of your special moments with us…” In 2018, the Diner relocated from downtown into the former location of Brasabana on Lane Allen Road, and transitioned to a joint venture between owner Karin West and the Azur Restaurant Group (who had also owned Brasabana). Rumors are circulating that a popular Hamburg area restaurant may open a second location in the Diner’s former space.

TRANSITIONS

Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate sustained major windstorm damages in March. The Gingko Tree Cafe sustained roof damage. Visit henryclay.org to make a donation to their recovery efforts.

Longtime Charlie Brown’s owner, Dave Fuller, has sold the reins of the institution to new owners Chris Brothers, Chris Behler, and Sean Feld. Fuller had been at the helm since the early 80s.

County Club has reopened for the season. Merrick Inn is reopening for the season on April 5 after a winter remodel.

Sam’s Hot Dog Stand in East Lexington is adding a breakfast menu.

COMING SOON

Chef Sam Fore plans to open a brick and mortar concept, Tuk Tuk Snack Shop, in the Malabu neighborhood later this year.

7Brew Coffee is expected to build in the location formerly occupied by the recently demolished O’Charley’s on Richmond Road. Oregon-based Dutch Bros Coffee has hit two zoning snags in building out its forthcoming Lexington footprint. Proposals for both the Blue Arby’s location near UK campus and a South Broadway spot were rejected by the Planning Commission, citing the “vehicle focused” plans and congestion issues.

EAT & DRINK CALENDAR

SUN APR 16

TAI on Rye, the pop-up Jewish deli, returns after a three-year absence, and will be open Sunday, April 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Temple Adath Israel, 124 North Ashland Ave, for dine-in or carryout.

Everything Old is New Again

Lexington’s older neighborhoods are right on trend

BY JOHN RICE

There are two types of old neighborhoods: the kind that were always desirable. Think Chevy Chase. Then there are those that worked their way up. Think, in varying degrees, Kenwick, The Meadows, Meadowthorpe, and Southland.

Chevy Chase is rare. It has never ever gone through any type of normal cycle where there has been a decline in desirability. It has the perfect combination of location and character.

Most older neighborhoods have experienced at least one or more cycles of decline. They may have started out as middle class neighborhoods when new. Often the owners moved away to newer, more modern suburban neighborhoods in the 1950s through the 1970s. These types of neighborhoods became more and more affordable to subsequent buyers since their spot on the preferred neighborhood hierarchy dropped. Some eventually stabilized. Some keep sliding all the way to the very bottom.

to linger as a stable “C Grade” neighborhood. It worked its way up to “B Grade,” then “A Grade,” and is now a legit “A+ Grade” neighborhood.

My family moved to Kenwick in the mid1980s. It was just a blue collar, working class neighborhood. My parents chose it because they loved the nearby Chevy Chase, but couldn’t afford it at the time. It offered 80 percent of the location and style for 30 percent of the price. Over the years I have watched Kenwick go from being the affordable second choice to standing proudly on its own two feet. People today choose Kenwick because they love it, not because it is all they can afford.

The modern equivalent of Kenwick is The . The Meadows saw a pretty rapid decline in the 70s as most of the new schools, shopping and dining moved towards the south end of town. What was once a solid neighborhood built in the 1950s for returning vets and first time buyers saw a lot of neglect. Many houses became cheap rentals. The foreclosure crisis hit it hard about 15 years ago. With very few affordable older neighborhoods left, it has become a good way to get into an older house and get the old neighborhood vibe for cheap. I don’t really know where future generations will go to fulfill their desire for an older house in an older neighborhood. There aren’t many left. With all the tiny 1000 square foot generic spec homes of the 60s and 70s aging, maybe we will see neighborhoods Woodhill, Rookwood, Cardinal Valley, and Idle Hour become the trendy spot for affordable older homes. It’s the same formula after all.

Sometimes new development around an older neighborhood helps it become more desirable. Meadowthorpe is a prime example of this.

When new, it was on the very edge of town. It was probably originally viewed like Masterson Station was in the early days. When Masterson Station was new, people referred to it as “all the way out there in the middle of nowhere.” Few people were even aware of Meadowthorpe when I moved here in the 1980s. It was just some random, cool, neighborhood on a forgotten end of town — a diamond in the rough. Back then, being close to downtown wasn’t as cool as it is now. There was no Distillery District. There wasn’t even that shopping center with Kroger. I think what really helped Meadowthorpe was Masterson Station. Sure, the Distillery District and its proximity to downtown contributed, but the continuing development of Masterson Station anchored that side of town as west Lexington, instead of feeling like a midway stop on the way to Midway.

Southland is a good example of how a nice, middle of the road neighborhood becomes trendy. It already had a good location on the south end of town between everything out Nicholasville Road and UK. It has always had a good school district. It has always been a nice choice for affordable homes. It seemed like a logical place for people to live and fix up their houses. More and more people started buying and renovating their houses just as many of the longtime owners were leaving. Prices have, consequently, shot up in recent years. Today it is common to see extremely nice renovated homes selling for over $500k.

So, if you’ve made it this far, you can see that most old neighborhoods typically become more desirable in these ways:

1. They already were really desirable: Chevy Chase.

2. They declined enough to become super affordable and were rejuvenated: Kenwick and The Meadows.

3. New development and/or changes in the areas: Meadowthorpe.

4. They were always nice, but became even nicer and more desirable for a variety of reasons: Southland.

Chevy Chase Street Fair

John Rice is a local Realtor who blogs at The LEXpert.

ROB BREZSNY’S FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Ariesborn René Descartes (1596–1650) was instrumental in the development of modern science and philosophy. His famous motto, “I think, therefore I am” is an assertion that the analytical component of intelligence is primary and foremost. And yet, few history books mention the supernatural intervention that was pivotal in his evolution as a supreme rationalist. On the night of November 10, 1619, he had three mystical dreams that changed his life, revealing the contours of the quest to discern the “miraculous science” that would occupy him for the next 30 years. I suspect you are in store for a comparable experience or two, Aries. Brilliant ideas and marvelous solutions to your dilemmas will visit you as you bask in unusual and magical states of awareness.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The dirty work is becoming milder and easier. It’s still a bit dirty, but is growing progressively less grungy and more rewarding. The command to “adjust, adjust, and adjust some more, you beast of burden” is giving way to “refine, refine, and refine some more, you beautiful animal.” At this pivotal moment, it’s crucial to remain consummately conscientious. If you stay in close touch with your shadowy side, it will never commandeer more than ten percent of your total personality. In other words, a bit of healthy distrust for your own motives will keep you trustworthy. (PS: Groaning and grousing, if done in righteous and constructive causes, will continue to be good therapy for now.)

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): “’Tis the good reader that makes the good book,” wrote Gemini philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson. “In every book he finds passages which seem confidences or asides hidden from all else and unmistakably meant for his ear.” In the coming weeks, a similar principle will apply to everything you encounter, Gemini—not just books. You will find rich meaning and entertainment wherever you go. From seemingly ordinary experiences, you’ll notice and pluck clues that will be wildly useful for you personally. For inspiration, read this quote from author Sam Keen: “Enter each day with the expectation that the happenings of the day may contain a clandestine message addressed to you personally. Expect omens, epiphanies, casual blessings, and teachers who unknowingly speak to your condition.”

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Traditional astrologers don’t regard the planet Mars as being a natural ally of you Crabs. But I suspect you will enjoy an invigorating relationship with the red planet during the next six weeks. For best results, tap into its rigorous vigor in the following ways: 1. Gather new

wisdom about how to fight tenderly and fiercely for what’s yours. 2. Refine and energize your ambitions so they become more ingenious and beautiful. 3. Find out more about how to provide your physical body with exactly what it needs to be strong and lively on an ongoing basis. 4. Mediate on how to activate a boost in your willpower.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): I won’t ask you to start heading back toward your comfort zone yet, Leo. I’d love to see you keep wandering out in the frontiers for a while longer. It’s healthy and wise to be extra fanciful, improvisatory, and imaginative. The more rigorous and daring your experiments, the better. Possible bonus: If you are willing to question at least some of your fixed opinions and dogmatic beliefs, you could very well outgrow the part of the Old You that has finished its mission.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The Supreme Deity with the most power may not be Jehovah or Allah or Brahman or Jesus’s Dad. There’s a good chance it’s actually Mammon, the God of Money. The devoted worship that humans offer to Mammon far surpasses the loyalty offered to all the other gods combined. His values and commandments rule civilization. I bring this to your attention, Virgo, because now is an excellent time for you to deliver extra intense prayers to Mammon. From what I can determine, this formidable Lord of Lords is far more likely to favor you than usual. (PS: I’m only half-kidding. I really do believe your financial luck will be a peak in the coming weeks.)

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): It’s an excellent time to give up depleted, used-up obsessions so you have plenty of room and energy to embrace fresh, succulent passions. I hope you will take advantage of the cosmic help that’s available as you try this fun experiment. You will get in touch with previously untapped resources as you wind down your attachments to old pleasures that have dissipated. You will activate dormant reserves of energy as you phase out connections that take more than they give.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “The best revenge is not to be like your enemy,” said ancient Roman philosopher Marcus Aurelius. I’m tempted to advise every Scorpio to get a tattoo of that motto. That way, you will forever keep in mind this excellent advice; As fun as it may initially feel to retaliate against those who have crossed you, it rarely generates redemptive grace or glorious rebirth, which are key Scorpio birthrights. I believe these thoughts should be prime meditations for you in the coming weeks.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Sometimes love can be boring. We may become overly accustomed to

feeling affection and tenderness for a special person or animal. What blazed like a fiery fountain in the early stages of our attraction might have subsided into a routine sensation of mild fondness. But here’s the good news, Sagittarius: Even if you have been ensconced in bland sweetness, I suspect you will soon transition into a phase of enhanced zeal. Are you ready to be immersed in a luscious lusty bloom of heartful yearning and adventure?

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): What shall we call this latest chapter of your life story? How about “Stealthy Triumph over Lonely Fear” or maybe “Creating Rapport with the Holy Darkness.” Other choices might be “As Far Down into the Wild Rich Depths That I Dare to Go” or “My Roots Are Stronger and Deeper Than I Ever Imagined.” Congratulations on this quiet but amazing work you’ve been attending to. Some other possible descriptors: “I Didn’t Have to Slay the Dragon Because I Figured Out How to Harness It” or “The Unexpected Wealth I Discovered Amidst the Confusing Chaos.”

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): It’s sway-swirl-swivel time for you, Aquarius—a phase when you will be wise to gyrate and rollick and zigzag. This is a bouncy, shimmering interlude that will hopefully clean and clear your mind as it provides you with an abundance of reasons to utter “whee!” and “yahoo!” and “hooray!” My advice: Don’t expect the straight-and-narrow version of anything. Be sure you get more than minimal doses of twirling and swooping and cavorting. Your brain needs to be teased and tickled, and your heart requires regular encounters with improvised fun.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): When I was growing up in suburban America, way back in the 20th century, many adults told me that I was wrong and bad to grow my hair really long. Really! It’s hard to believe now, but I endured ongoing assaults of criticism, ridicule, and threats because of how I shaped my physical appearance. Teachers, relatives, baseball coaches, neighbors, strangers in the grocery store— literally hundreds of people— warned me that sporting a big head of hair would cause the whole world to be prejudiced against me and sabotage my success. Decades later, I can safely say that all those critics were resoundingly wrong. My hair is still long, has always been so, and my ability to live the life I love has not been obstructed by it in the least. Telling you this story is my way of encouraging you to keep being who you really are, even in the face of people telling you that’s not who you really are. The astrological omens say it’s time for you to take a stand.

Instructional Designer (Lexington, KY). Create online training courses, manage curricular dsgn prgm dvlpmt, facilitate training sessions, evaluate new technologies, maintain knowl & expertise in instructional dsgn. Master’s Edu, Learning Dsgn & Technology, or closely related field; 2 yrs. Exp in edu’l & technology &/ or curricular dsgn, incl some solid ex &/or academic background in each: creation of online courses or online learning materials in learning mgmt systems; creation/editing video tutorials; edu & theories & instructional dsgn strategies; Articulate Storyline; Adobe Captivate; Adobe Premiere Pro; CANVAS; Vyond; Accessibility; MS Office. MUST follow these specific application instructions in order to be considered: Send CV & cvr ltr to toni.smith@uky.edu or Toni Lynn Smith, University of Kentucky, 103 Kinkead Hall, Lexington, KY 40506 w/in 30 days & ref. Job #W2022-191

City Launches Solarize Lexington

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government has partnered with the Kentucky Solar Energy Society to launch Solarize Lexington. The program is designed to help households reduce their reliance on the electric grid by making it easier to install solar photovoltaics (PV). Solarize Lexington will:

• Connect participants to a vetted solar installer, Solar Energy Solutions

• Provide a step-by-step walk-through of the solar installation process

• Give households access to discounted wholesale rates (up to 20% off)

All solar installations will be individual contracts between the property owner and the solar installer. The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government will not assume any liability related to the installation.

Be aware that some companies or individuals might claim to be associated with this program but are not. Solarize Lexington will not come to your home or call you unless you complete an assessment form.

The enrollment period ends July 20, 2023.

STORM DEBRIS?

Lexington Emergency Management wants to hear from residents who have exhausted their ability to clear storm debris from private property. This includes elderly residents, those who are medically fragile, and those with physical or developmental disabilities. This volunteer service will extend to persons who have no other means for debris removal.

Emergency Management is working with volunteer agencies who MAY be able to send debris, brush, and tree-clearing workers to Lexington for a series of work days.

Once registration takes place, the volunteer agency will determine if it can assign work crews to Lexington to meet the debris removal needs. This is ONLY for Fayette County residents.

To register, please call LEXCALL at 859-4252255, Monday-Friday, from 9 am-5 pm.

H&G Calendar

SAT APR 1

Central Kentucky Home and Garden Show is at Lexington Center through Sunday.

SAT APR 22

Check out the All About the Home event at Bluegrass Stockyards. Free admission with door prizes and local vendors. The Heart & Soil Garden Festiva l is happening at the First Baptist Church

of Morehead from 10-4. This outdoor festival will promote and educate visitors about home gardening and the environment, and the joy and benefits it offers to gardeners.

Berea’s Taleless Dog Booksellers hosts their first annual Gardening Festival. An eclectic group of authors will be on hand to help you move into this year’s gardening season with new knowledge. 9 am to 12:30.

SUN APR 23

Improve your yard habitat for birds and pollinators. Ironweed Nursery will be at Wild Birds Unlimited Sunday, April 23rd from 1PM-3PM selling native plants.

SAT APR 29

The Scott County Master Gardener Association is hosting a Garden Expo from 9-noon at 1130 Cincinnati Rd in Georgetown.

Admission is free. Lots of information and demonstrations about everything garden —soil, herbs, cooking, and plant starts.

SAT MAY 6

Flowers aren’t just for the Derby winner on Derby Day. Come to Wilmore’s Annual Flower Sale and Farmer’s Market at the downtown parking lot on East Main. Hours are 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Fresh, seasonal and locally grown veggies, bedding plants, hanging baskets, perennials for purchase at low prices. Profits from the flower sale are used to replace or add to plant material in the City’s public flower beds.

COMING SOON

Save the Date for June 24, 2023 when The Lexington Council Garden Clubs presents the Open Gates to Bluegrass Living Garden Tour.

Sold In Lexington

Property sales info source: Fayette County Property Valuation office (www.fayettepva.com)

Property sales info source: Fayette County Property