Wellington Elementary welcomes its first class of students
The newest institution in the Fayette County Public Schools, Wellington Elementary, welcomed its first class of students on Aug. 11.
The 76,000-square-foot facility utilizes an abundance of energy efficient and sustainable features, such as solar panels, a rainwater capture and reuse system, a solar hot water system, permeable paves, rain gardens, automatic electric lighting controls, outdoor classrooms, recycling areas, and native landscaping.
Ground was broken on the $16-million school in May of 2010. Architecture firm GBBN provided the school's designs, and construction was handled by general contractor D.W. Wilburn, Inc.
The Wellington Elementary principal is Meribeth Gaines, and their mascot is the "Explorers." The school is located at 3280 Keithshire Way.
Former Beaumont students semifinalists in national STEM competition
A duo of former Beaumont Middle School students were two of Kentucky's five semi-finalists in the Broadcom MASTERS, a new national contest in which middle school students demonstrate their mastery of math, applied science, technology and engineering as Rising Stars through science fair competition.
Sahil Nair, now a freshman at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, and Joanna Slusarewicz, now an eighth grader at Winburn Middle School, were among the 300 students nationally entering the semifinalist stage. Both students attended Beaumont Middle School last spring. The semifinalists come from 251 middle schools across the United States.
Nair's project was titled "Up in the Air: How Winglets and Other Wingtip Devices Affect Aircraft Performance," and Slusarewicz's was dubbed "Objects' Effects on the Perception of Color."
The finalists will be announced on Aug. 31, and the national competition will be held Sept. 30 - Oct. 5 in Washington, D.C. The winner will receive the $25,000 Samueli Education Prize.
Stormwater grant program accepting new round of applications
Businesses, schools, churches, non-profits and other organizations can now apply for a new round of Stormwater Quality Project Incentive Grants. Funded by the Water Quality Management Fee, these projects provide financial assistance for infrastructure projects and educational initiatives that improve water quality, reduce stormwater runoff and educate citizens about stormwater issues in Lexington.
Any commercial, industrial, institutional or multi-family residential facility in Fayette County that pays the fee is eligible to apply for a Class B Grant. This year, Class B grants are separated into two categories with different applications and different due dates: Infrastructure Grants (due by 5 p.m. Sept. 20), which fund construction and stormwater mitigation projects, and Education Grants (due by 5 p.m. Sept. 21), which fund efforts to improve public knowledge and promote actions to improve water quality in Fayette County.
Grants for educational projects will be funded up to $35,000 and require a 50 percent match of direct cash expenditures or in-kind costs after the first $2,500. Grants for infrastructure projects are available up to a maximum of $150,000 and may require a match in some cases.
Last year, 13 grants totaling $1.2 million were provided to Class B organizations for projects such as rainwater harvesting tanks to collect and reuse roof runoff, wetlands construction, underground stormwater detention systems, impaired streams restoration, and an outdoor learning space for environmental education.
For more information and applications, visit www.lexingtonky.gov/incentives.
Moon Festival coming to MoonDance Amphitheater
The Kentucky Chinese American Association, with support from the Beaumont Centre Family YMCA, will be hosting the Moon Festival Celebration 2011 at the MoonDance amphitheater in the Beaumont Circle on Sept. 10. This will be the second time the event has been held at the facilities.
Anyone interested in this community celebration of a significant cultural tradition is invited. Programming includes presentations, music, dance, art, food and children's activities. Organizers are also hosting a popular Moon cake competition.
Beginning at 2 p.m., the Beaumont Centre YMCA will open its doors to families to have free access to its facilities, where there will be a lantern-making workshop and other children's activities. Other activities and entertainment begins at 4 p.m. at the amphitheater. For more information, visit www.kycaa.org.
Austin-based Tex-Mex restaurant opening in Southside
An Austin-based Mexican restaurant, noted for its Elvis and metal flair decor, opened its doors Aug. 30 on Nicholasville Centre Road near Bella Notte.
Founded in 1982 in Austin, Texas, Chuy's aims to serve authentic and affordable Tex-Mex, according to the company. There are over 25 Texas locations, and the company has recently began expanding into the other parts of the Southeast. The interior is adorned with hand-carved wooden fish and colorful art, hubcaps on the ceiling, metal palm trees, and an Elvis shrine -
featured in each of Chuy's locations.
The restaurant will be open seven days a week for lunch and dinner featuring oversized burritos, stuffed chili rellenos and a free "nacho car" during happy hours. Visit www.chuys.com for more information, including a downloadable menu.