Local chefs nominated for prestigious James Beard award
Bluegrass chefs Jonathan Lundy (of Jonathan at Gratz Park, in Lexington) and Ouita Michel (of Holly Hill Inn, in Midway) are among the 20 chefs vying for the position of "Best Chef in the Southeast," according to leading culinary institution James Beard Foundation. The James Beard awards are among the most coveted honor for chefs, having been deemed the "Oscars of the food world" by Time Magazine.
Also representing Kentucky on the prestigious list are Louisville chefs Anthony Llamas (Seviche) and Edward Lee (610 Magnolia). Winners will be announced in May.
UK students seeking cleanup projects
About 150 University of Kentucky students involved with UK Fusion, a project that gets college students involved with their surrounding community and neighborhoods, will be working on cleanup projects for the Great American Cleanup on April 17, including gardening, trash and graffiti removal, tree trimming, and other services.
If you have a particular exterior project that could use some extra hands, project organizers are asking that you coordinate the assistance through your neighborhood association or visit www.ukfusion.org.
Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate recruits new friends
Assuming that if Henry Clay were still alive, he would be in the March Madness spirit as much as the next Kentuckian, Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate, is kicking off a March Membership Madness and asking potential members to support Kentucky history by becoming a Friend of Ashland.
In addition to being a remarkable historic home, Ashland is loved by many for its tree-lined paths, multi-purpose lawn and meticulous gardens. The 17-acre estate, which receives no city, state or government funding, relies on volunteers and donations to support the board and staff and maintain the grounds.
All friends receive free tours for a year and discounts on holiday tours and museum shopping. Additional benefits are available as well. For more information, visit www.henryclay.org or call (859) 266-8581.
Mayor announces incentive grants for water quality
Last month, Mayor Newberry announced two new incentive grants to improve water quality. Class A grants of up to $50,000 are intended for neighborhood-related activities, and require a match, to be provided by the applicant through cost-sharing and/or volunteer sweat-equity. Lexington businesses, churches, apartment complexes and neighborhood organizations are eligible for the Class A grants, which have a deadline of April 30.
Schools, businesses, churches, apartment complexes and other institutions are eligible for the Class B grants. These grants can cover education and infrastructure projects of all sizes, and projects may be funded for up to $500,000. The deadline for Class B grants application is May 28.
For guidelines, more details, or to request an application packet please call LexCall at 311 or (859) 425-2255. Application packets may also be downloaded at www.lexingtonky.gov/waterquality.
United Way 10,000 Hours Show announces band
The United Way announced that modern piano-rock quintet Augustana will perform at the April 8 10,000 Hours Show presented by W. Rogers Company at Buster's Billiards and Backroom. The show is free and only available to Lexington-area residents who have registered 10 or more hours of community service with the United Way. Anyone over the age of 18 is eligible to register their hours at www.uwbg.org, and the event is limited to the first 1,000 people to claim their ticket after registering their hours.
Known for their hit single "Boston," Augustana has toured with Counting Crows, Michael Franti, Snow Patrol and Dashboard Confessional. For more information on the band, visit www.augustanamusic.com. For more information on the 10,000 Hours Show, visit www.uwbg.org.
Craft beer shop coming to Chevy Chase
Pazzo's owner Tom Behr and his son Brett are planning to open a craft beer shop in the Chevy Chase neighborhood, in the former location of Vishal International Supermarket on Euclid Avenue. The store, modeled after a similar shop in Louisville, will feature up to six taps for in-store tastings and a large retail selection of quality craft beers. Construction on the site began in February, with a hopeful opening date set for May. More information coming soon.
Chevy Chaser columnist to be honored at Carnegie Center
Chevy Chaser Observations columnist Harriett Rose, who has charmed readers of this magazine for over a decade with her whimsical remembrances and scathing observations culled from a lifetime of memories, will be honored this month for her writing accomplishments.
Organizers of the Legacies Award at the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning, a popular annual writing competition of many genres open to individuals 55 years of age and older, announced that this year the prize would be called the Harriett A. Rose Legacies Award henceforth, in recognition of Rose, who had been an avid and inspiring student in the Carnegie Center's nonfiction writing workshop for many years. Rose, according to Carnegie Center writer-in-residence Neil Chetnik, was encouraged by many people in the workshop to submit writing samples to the Chevy Chaser Magazine when the publication first began soliciting potential columnists. Over a decade later, Rose's contributions are still an anticipated monthly feature for many readers, and a glowing example Chetnik likes to reference when trying to engage other students.
"We point to her," he said. "If you think you can't get published later in your life, take a look at what Harriett Rose has done. She was in our class and look at what she's been doing."
The award is an acknowledgment of writers who are dedicated to honing their literary skills later in life and a celebration for those who enjoy writing in any style. Chetnik said the organizers wanted to use Rose as a namesake with the Legacies Award because she impeccably embodied what "golden citizens" can accomplish when they set about opening and recording their wealth of knowledge and experiences that everybody can learn from.
"She became a real-life example for what our older citizens can do for us, the rest of the community, and in their own lives," he said. "They can inform us and educate use and entertain us."
The Carnegie Center, located at 251 West 2nd St., will be hosting a reception in recognition of Rose and the honorarium award at 5:30 p.m. March 16. At 6:30 p.m. the first Harriett A. Rose Legacies Award will be awarded to the winner of the contest, who, along with several other authors of honorable mention, will be reading from their material. For more information on the Carnegie Center and other classes and writing competitions, visit www.carnegieliteracy.org.
New Businesses
Josie's (formerly known as Josie's Grab-and-Go), a venture of Murray's and Merrick Inn owner Bobby Murray, has re-opened in its Chevy Chase location with a new emphasis on breakfast and lunch. Located at 821 Chevy Place, next to Puccini's, Josie's will be open from 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. every day.
Lexington Antique Gallery is relocating from their Main Street location to the shopping center at 400 Old Vine. The new location is scheduled to open in early March. For more information, call (859) 231-8197.
New's Upholstery has expanded from their original Somerset location into Lexington's Woodland Triangle shopping district. Located at 503 E. High St., the home shop specializes in upholstery, draperies, bedspreads and interior decorating. Open 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mon. -
Fri. and by appointment Saturday. For more information, stop in, or call (859) 327-3633.
Brookview Beef, a new company operated in the Fairway Neighborhood by owners Douglas and Jenny Owens, provides the Lexington community with a source for local, grass-finished beef. Brookview Beef carries all-natural beef raised on a cattle farm six miles outside Lexington. Farm fresh eggs are also available. For more information or to place an order, call (859) 421-1939 or visit www.brookviewbeef.com.
Corusso's Pizzaria opened in late January in the Chinoe Centre (1060 Chinoe Road). Along with pizza, the carry-out/dine-in eatery offers subs, hoagies, chicken wings, penne pasta and other items. The restaurant's hours are 10:30 a.m. - Midnight. Corusso's will make deliveries to addresses within a 4-mile radius of its location. For more information, call (859) 309-9099.
VocĂ Salon recently moved from their downtown location to a renovated, two-story location at 124 Clay Avenue. The salon and boutique is open from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mon., Fri. and Sat.; 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Tues., Wed. and Thurs. For more information, call (859) 252-8623.
Twirl Lexington, a new bridal boutique, recently opened at 121 Clay Ave. Specializing in designer dresses, the Lexington location is a sister store to the outlets in Arizona. Twirl is open 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tues. - Fri; 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sat.; 12 - 4 p.m. Sun. For more information, call (859) 309-2493 or visit www.twirllexington.com.