Keeneland to celebrate 75th anniversary this spring meet
Keeneland's opening day, April 8, begins the official start of the track's 75th anniversary celebration. Highlights of the 15-day season, which concludes April 29, include the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (April 16) and the Central Bank Ashland Stakes (April 9) - both Grade 1 races. Other notable events include College Scholarship Day (April 8), Military Appreciation Day (April 17) and Pink Day (April 20), which is held in association with Horses and Hope -
an initiative to raise breast cancer awareness among women working in Kentucky's horse industry.
Live Thoroughbred racing takes place Wed. -
Sun. (with the exception of Easter Sunday, April 24). Gates open at 11 a.m. with the first post at 1:15 p.m. For more information, visit www.keeneland.com.
Pilot food waste program open to Southland Park residents
Bluegrass PRIDE and the LFUCG Division of Waste Management have partnered to pilot a food waste program to a limited number of participants in Lexington. The program, which started in late February and will run for six months, is open to residents who live east of Clays Mill Road on the following streets: Woodbine Drive, McCubbing Drive, Southgate Drive, Southbend, Lone Oak, Reed Drive, Mitchell Avenue, Rosemill Drive, Longview Drive, Sheridan Drive, Stratford Drive, Barkley Drive and South Barkley Drive.
The program will allow residents to use their gray Lenny yard waste container to dispose of food waste, which will be composted. Eligible residents can find more information and sign up to participate at www.lexingtonky.gov/index.aspx?page=2683.
Southland Association annual meeting notes
The Southland Association, a group of property owners that addresses and promotes business in and around Southland Drive, hosted their annual meeting on March 8 at Olieka Temple. Nearly 50 people were in attendance.
Tenth district council representative Doug Martin, who represents the area, spoke on several projects around the area, including construction on the Clays Mill Road widening project currently underway and the upcoming Diverging Diamond interchange at Harrodsburg Road and New Circle Road. Sergeant Sean Ray spoke about neighborhood and commercial crime prevention. Jennifer Mossotti, senior council to the mayor, spoke about Mayor Gray's open-door policy, and Vice Mayor Linda Gorton spoke about the work of the Parks and Recreation Board in maintaining the area's parks. Two new members boards were also welcomed to the association's board of directors: Danny Collins, of Collins Bowling Centers, and Fred Wohlstein, of Donut Days Bakery.
Wellington Way street closure during FCPS spring break
From April 2 - 11, Wellington Way is scheduled to be closed to replace a box culvert. The road will be closed 24 hours each day. The closure is planned to take place during the Fayette County Public Schools spring break in order to minimize traffic congestion in the area. Signs will point to a detour using Arrowhead and Buckingham Lane.
Beaumont amphitheater readies for first full season of programming
MoonDance at Midnight Pass, the new outdoor amphitheater in Beaumont built by the Haymaker Development Company and managed by LexArts, is prepping for its first full season of programming.
In March, the amphitheater held an open house for community and civic groups interested in hosting events at the venue. Inquiries on the space should be directed to Joe Artz, the general manager of LexArts' Downtown Arts Center and this year's MoonDance, at jartz@lexarts.org or (859) 225-0370. A schedule of events will be available at a later date at www.moondancelex.com.
Southland Drive Lexington Farmers Market resumes in April
Lexington Farmers Market's Southland Drive location (398 Southland Dr.) will resume operation on April 10 and will run on every Sunday through the fall. Hours are 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. For more information, visit www.lexingtonfarmersmarket.com.
Central Kentucky Radio Eye seeks volunteers
Central Kentucky Radio Eye, a radio reading service that broadcasts the reading of newspapers, magazines and other printed news and information for blind and print-disabled individuals, is currently recruiting volunteer readers, control board operators and office help. A volunteer orientation will take place on April 8 at 10 a.m. and again on April 22 at 2:30 p.m. If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities with Radio Eye, call Alanna Hultz at (859) 422-6390 to request a volunteer application form and sign up to attend orientation.
New Businesses
Outdoor Living By Design, a new showroom that features a myriad of outdoor living products, from KOI ponds and waterfalls to outdoor kitchens, patios and decks, has opened at 107 Means Drive in Nicholasville, behind Kohls & Sam's Club. Founded by Jeff Duggins of H2O Designs, the venture also features the products and services of associate members American Deck & Sunroom, Blevins Hardscapes, Dengers, Geddes Pools, Home & Garden Stone, Hammond Landscaping, Stratton Lumber, Haggard Stone, Leaf Guard and The Pond Store. Open 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Mon. - Sat.; 1-5 p.m. Sun. (859) 887-0740.
Bike Green Lexington, a full-service bicycle shop with a special focus on environmentally-friendly products and practices, opened last month at 3801 Dylan Place, Suite 112 (near Boston Rd. and Man O' War). The shop donates $5 from every bike sale to United Way of Central Kentucky and LiveStrong, a national non-profit that works to improve the lives of people affected by cancer. Bike Green Lexington's winter hours are 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Mon. - Thurs.; 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sat. For more information, visit www.bikegreenlex.com or call (859) 219-1783.