CREATIVE TYPES LOCAL MUSIC ARTIST TIMOTHY "IBELI3VE" LAMONT PAWS 4 THE CAUSE FINDING 'FUREVER' HOMES FOR LOCAL PETS A SOUND SALVATION COMMUNITY RADIO STATION SET FOR MAJOR EVOLUTION
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JAN. 2026
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Contents 9
Creative Types: Timothy “iBeli3ve” Lamont
Seeking inpiration in the darkest of places, local music artist Timothy Lamont is dedicated to spreading light through his work
MORROW & GAYHEART ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY
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Where to Eat Now
A Sound Salvation
More than 20 new eateries to answer the question “Where should we eat tonight?”
A decade after launching, the community radio station RadioLex is set for a major evolution
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Paws 4 the Cause
January tadoo List
The work of this animal welfare nonprofit goes beyond finding loving homes for pets
The best art exhibits, performances & other cultural haps taking place in and around
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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 35). Smiley Pete contributor Shannon Clinton (“Where to Eat Now,” page 15) is a proud graduate of Western Kentucky University’s journalism program who has been a full-time freelance writer for 21 years. Lexington-based journalist and photographer with a passion for live music & Appalachia Madylin Goins (photos for “Creative Types”) is committed to promoting artists and the stories that keep the hills alive. Smiley Pete intern Hannah Hobbs (“A Sound Salvation,” page 26) is a junior at Transylvania University majoring in English with an interest in publishing. Besides reading and writing, her days include making handmade art, perfecting her chai latte, and cozying up with her cat, Karma, for her favorite shows. Mick Jeffries (photography for “A Sound Salvation”) 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.
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Brent Owen (“Creative Types: Timothy Lamont,” page 9, and ”Nonprofit Spotlight: Paws 4 the Cause,” page 30) has contributed to a variety of publications over the past two decades, including Kentucky Monthly, LEO Weekly and Voice-Tribune. n
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CIVIC CONNECTIONS SOCIAL SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY
PROUDLY OFFERING THESE FINE PROPERTIES
BY JENNIFER REYNOLDS 11TH DISTRICT COUNCILMEMBER
On July 7, 2025, I woke up to a text from our fire chief saying there had been a significant mass casualty call due to carbon monoxide poisoning at an apartment building in my district. My heart sank wondering what on earth could have happened. I was then told one person was dead and eleven more had to go to the hospital. The last thing councilmembers want to hear is that there is loss of life anywhere in the city, but especially in your district and near your own neighborhood. I started asking questions about carbon monoxide. Why hadn’t the tenants been alerted? Why didn’t they get out in time? What in the world could have caused such a significant event? I didn’t know all the answers, but little by little, I found them out. There are many things that happen in the city that as an elected official you have little to no power over. Oftentimes, people assume we can control everything. This situation left me feeling helpless. What in the world could I do in response? Is there anything that could have prevented this situation? Our Public Safety Division and our Division of Housing Advocacy and Community Development went straight to work responding to the emergency and helping displaced residents find a place to stay and the resources they desperately needed. I am extremely proud of our response as a city to this tragedy. Still, as a representative for my district and the city, I wanted to do more. After researching city law regarding requirements for carbon monoxide detectors, I realized that units built before 2011 did not require them, which includes a lot of the units in the neighborhoods I represent and the one where this emergency took place. In January’s Social Services and Public Safety Committee, I will be proposing an ordinance as an update to our local fire prevention code that residential units, no matter the year they were built (excepting single or dual family homes), are required to have a working carbon monoxide detector. In addition, single family homes with any gas-burning appliances or an attached garage will also be required to have a working carbon monoxide detector. This ordinance will apply to all existing dwellings meeting this criteria and any new construction. Home inspections will also require that a working carbon monoxide detector is present in the home before it is purchased by a new owner. My hope is that this ordinance will go on to the full council and pass. Working with the Fire Department and Code Enforcement, my goal is to prevent future casualties due to carbon monoxide poisoning. n Jennifer Reynolds is serving in her fourth term on Lexington’s City Council representing the 11th District, and is the Chair of the Social Services and Public Safety Committee.
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CREATIVE TYPES
Timothy “iBeli3ve” Lamont HAVING WEATHERED HIS SHARE OF PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL UPS AND DOWNS, THIS CENTRAL KENTUCKY ARTIST HAS FOUND A WAY TO PULL LIGHT FROM THE DARKNESS STORY BY BRENT OWEN | PHOTOS BY MADYLIN GOINS
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The start of an amazing journey.
At Sayre School, we believe curiosity and a holistic education opens doors to exciting paths ahead. Through multi-faceted learning opportunities, led by accomplished, dedicated faculty, students here experience a community that celebrates discovery and growth through knowledge. When weighing your options, come discover what Sayre School has to offer. To see how Sayre School can be a first step to a world of opportunities visit sayreschool.org.
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W
hen Lexington music artist Timothy “iBeli3ve” Lamont is performing, an unmistakable light and energy surrounds him. It’s not just the tone in his voice or the confidence in his stride — it’s the journey and the story behind his name. But in many ways, Lamont has drawn inspirations from a place of darkness and uncertainty. “I had to learn to believe in myself,” Lamont said. That belief was hard-won, through loss, struggle and resilience, but it has carried him from the projects of Louisville to stages all across the country, where he’s emerging as a promising new voice in R&B. Along the way, his journey has attracted the attention of audiences and major brands like Coca-Cola, with whom his message of perseverance resonates. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1988, Lamont’s musical roots stretch deep into the soil of the American South. His grandmother grew up picking cotton on a Mississippi plantation in the 1950s, singing hymns to survive the heat and hardship. She eventually moved north to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “She’d pick me up for church every week,” Lamont recalled. “That’s where I learned rhythm, gospel and the power of music to move the soul.” At home, genres clashed and harmonized: his father spun funk and soul records by Earth, Wind & Fire, his brothers blasted hip hop from Tupac and Bone Thugs-NHarmony, and his mother adored R&B like Jaheim. He took it all in, as the broad swath of influences that fleshed out the artist he is today. Lamont’s journey toward success was anything but linear: After fleeing Milwaukee during a violent period in his youth, his family found themselves homeless in Louisville. “We lived in a shelter,” he said. “Gunfire was a daily thing. My mom did her best, and she never gave up.” That persistence became his inheritance. The artistic trajectory of Lamont’s youth was also interrupted by tragedy. In 2003, when he was just 15, his father died by suicide while they were living in Campbellsville, Kentucky. “That city haunted me,” he admits. “I had to go back years later to forgive and heal because I didn’t want to live with anger forever.”
From hip hop to gospel, music artist Timothy Lamont draws inpiration from a number of sounds and genres. PHOTOS BY MADYLIN GOINS
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PHOTO BY MADYLIN GOINS
Eventually, Lamont was able to find a way to turn the pain into a way to shape his mission as an artist and advocate. “Losing my dad like that, then my mom to a heart attack in 2011, and my brother in 2018 — it has all fueled me. I have to turn my pain into purpose.” By his twenties, Lamont was settling in Lexington and launching a music career while weathering storms of the industry at large, including an exploitative record deal that left him downtrodden. “They promised me the world, but it was all lies,” he recalled. “That experience forced me to realize that independence is my only path.” Lamont found himself, once again, reliant on both the independence and purpose at the heart of his music, performed under the moniker iBeli3ve. The name is stylized with a “3” in place of the “e” to represent the trinity of faith, courage and perseverance that guides him. “Life can be unpredictable and unpleasant, but belief changes everything,” he said. “It’s how you move through chaos that defines you.” His songs often explore resilience and faith against impossible odds, earning him invitations to perform at Boys
& Girls Clubs and churches across the country. “There are kids who struggle with reading, who are afraid to speak, who doubt themselves,” he said. “They need someone to show them they’re loved and that they’re special, too.” After the disappointing experience with the record company, Lamont found himself in serious debt and began rebuilding from the ground up. He appeared on local TV stations WKYT and Fox 56, performed across the United States and Canada, and eventually landed a careerdefining partnership with Coca-Cola. A friend connected him to Rob Rettberg, a music executive in Los Angeles. who was spearheading the soft drink manufacturer’s music division through Coke Studios. “He heard my song ‘Out of This World’ and invited me to record at Crypto Arena, where the L.A. Lakers play.” Coke sponsored a music video and signed a non-exclusive contract to use his track. “It’s surreal, man.” While the Coke collaboration has boosted his visibility, Lamont’s ambitions extended further. Through the company Ultimate Sync Access, based in the United Kingdom, he began licensing his
music for TV and film. His song “I Miss You” was signed exclusively to Imaginary Friends Music Production, whose clients include “The Young and the Restless,” while another song, “Out of This World,” was signed non-exclusively to World Fusion Music in Ohio. Success was briefly interrupted by three consecutive knee surgeries between 2023 and 2025. “It was devastating,” he says. “My momentum was gone.” He spent months recovering in Baltimore with his sister. During the down time she put him through vocal boot camp and helped him study music licensing. “I learned the business side of this industry,” he says. “That’s what kept me sharp while I was down.” In early 2025, Lamont joined the Level Up songwriting camp in Toronto, an invite-only international event for up-andcoming writers. “We had to write and record a song every hour for 12 hours,” he laughs. “It was intense.” His performance impressed Level Up’s founder, Brianna Shelko, who invited him to record additional tracks for major sports brands, including the NFL. “I can’t say too much yet,” he hints, “but I did vocals for some big campaigns.”
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While Ibeli3ve is performing on stages across the country and cutting corporate partnerships, Lamont remains grounded in the storytelling. “I’m old school,” he says. “I love albums that have a beginning, middle, and end — like J. Cole’s ‘Sideline Story’ or Usher’s ‘Confessions.’ They tell the truth about life, love and struggle. That’s what I aim to do.” His songwriting process reflects that philosophy: raw, honest, and stripped of pretense. “I can write a song without hearing any music,” he says. “The melody is already in my head.” His chief producer and writing partner is the Lexington-based J Mac, who helps bring the songs he hears in his head to life. Together, they’ve built a library rife with tracks that come from his heart and speak to the soul. When asked, Lamont describes his vision of a “perfect song” as part technical, part spiritual. “It starts with production,” he explains. “Strong 808s, a clean bass line, and cinematic strings that make you feel something. Then comes the story — the words that grab your heart. The hook has to catch you because that’s what the world is going to remember. But in the end, it all has to mean something.” When pushed to name a song that captures that feeling best, he doesn’t hesitate: “‘My Wish’ by Rascal Flatts. That song says it all — become everything you’re meant to be. That’s what I want people to feel when they hear my music.” Still based in Kentucky, iBeli3ve continues to write, record and mentor others, especially young men battling the grief and self-doubt he struggled with entering the industry. “I used to drink a lot to numb the pain,” he admits. “I quit four years ago. Now, nothing really bothers me. I just want to be that beacon of light for others that my father never had.” For Lamont, the next chapter is unwritten but blessed with possibility. “I’ve been through homelessness, heartbreak, surgeries and loss,” he says. “I’m still here. Every day I wake up, I remind myself why I started: to inspire. If I can still believe, then so can you.” n
PHOTO BY MADYLIN GOINS
Lamont says his music is grounded in the art of storytelling.
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You can’t see it. You can’t smell it. You can’t taste it. But carbon monoxide can be deadly. Now is the time to protect your home with an annual HVAC maintenance! Our comprehensive maintenance checks include: • Inspecting heat exchangers for cracks • Testing for carbon monoxide leaks • Ensuring proper ventilation • Checking all safety controls • Installing/testing CO detectors Don’t wait until it’s too late. Schedule your annual HVAC maintenance today!
Ask the Home Services Expert with Jamie Clark This month we focus on Carbon monoxide and how to keep your family safe. Q: I grew up hearing about the dangers of carbon monoxide but I really don’t have a clear understanding of what it is and why it’s dangerous. Can you give us a basic understanding of it and its dangers? Diane, Chevy Chaser A: That’s a great questions especially from someone living in Chevy Chase because most of the homes in that area heat with Natural gas and heat their hot water with natural gas. Some also have gas logs or natural gas stoves all of these are potential sources of carbon monoxide, so people in this area need to be aware of the dangers and how to protect themselves. First, what is carbon monoxide and why is it dangerous? Carbon monoxide is a colorless odorless gas that if inhaled replaces oxygen in your blood, so you can effectively suffocate without realizing you’ve been exposed. The hemoglobin in your blood finds it easier to process carbon monoxide than oxygen, so it’s like your body prefers the poison to healthy air. You even
get a nice rosy look in your complexion. It’s not what you would think of from being poisoned. Sadly, we lost a couple of people in a Lexington apartment complex earlier this year because they did not have the proper detectors. You can get a decent carbon monoxide detector at most hardware stores, but I recommend going for a slightly higher end detector that also has a digital readout on the front. The reason for this is most carbon monoxide detectors will only alert you when deadly levels are present, 30 PPM. But you can have carbon monoxide poisoning at much lower levels. In fact, low level carbon monoxide poisoning can often be misdiagnosed as other issues such as Fibromyalgia, depression and chronic fatigue syndrome. This low-level poisoning can start as low as 4 PPM and can build up in your blood slowly draining you of much needed oxygen. So the question I often ask is, “How much poison is acceptable for your family?” I want the digital readout on my detector so if I see any carbon monoxide, I can call a professional to check all my appliances.
Q: How often should I have my gas appliances inspected? Ryan, Lexington A: It’s important to have gas appliances inspected every year. Your gas furnace is a very safe appliance as long as it’s working properly. That said, it can fail and lead to what we call a cracked heat exchanger allowing the carbon monoxide to mix with fresh air in the home and create a serious problem very quickly. Annual safety inspections from a qualified contractor who knows where to look for signs of a cracked heat exchanger, and one that takes a carbon monoxide reading at the furnace are important every year. Of all of the health and safety protocols we follow at Synergy, carbon monoxide safety is the most serious. Don’t risk your family’s safety. Buy a digital readout carbon monoxide detector and get all of your gas appliances inspected! Question about your home’s efficiency, comfort, or air quality? Email info@mysynergyhome.
Call Synergy Home for a free estimate for any of your home improvement needs: solar, HVAC, geothermal, generators, or spray foam encapsulation.
859-687-0553
801 WINCHESTER RD., LEXINGTON MYSYNERGYHOME.COM
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JAMIE CLARK PRESIDENT OF SYNERGY HOME LLC
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o t e r Whe ! w o Eat N FROM CASUAL TO WHITE TABLECLOTH, WE’VE ROUNDED UP MORE THAN 20 NEW LOCAL EATERIES TO PUT ON YOUR LIST BY SHANNON CLINTON AND SARAYA BREWER
Located on the 9th floor of the new development The Vine, The V is one of several fine dining restaurants in the area to have opened in recent months.” PHOTO FURNISHED
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Owner Logan Bertrand says that every item served was developed in his mother’s kitchen before hitting the menu. “We spent months experimenting, testing, tweaking, and even scrapping sandwiches that didn’t live up to our standards,” he said. “What made the cut is what we’re proud to serve today.” With an intimate vintage-inspired interior, the restaurant is also committed to serving its gluten-free community, offering gluten-free substitutes and desserts throughout the week, and exclusively preparing gluten-free items on Sundays and Mondays to avoid cross-contamination.
Black Squirrel (COMING SOON) 175 N. Main St., Versailles blacksquirrelky.com Lexington chef and restaurateur Cole Arimes is partnering with Richard Turnbull to expand their restaurant family outside of Lexington with the opening of their newest restaurant, located in the historic brick corner building most recently home to Spark Community Café.
AMSDEN STATION RESTAURANT & BAR PHOTO FURNISHED
The restaurant will serve Kentuckyinspired breakfast and lunch favorites inspired by the Kentucky heritage of Arimes and chef de cuisine Olivia Jackson, a Versailles native who recently worked as sous chef in Lexington’s Manchester Hotel. Breakfast menu highlights will include eggs benedict, smoked salmon avocado toast and a build-your-own omelet option. The lunch menu will feature a wide array of sandwiches and salads, including Gerber Farms fried chicken, Philly cheesesteak and a chopped Asian salad. At the time of publication, the restaurant was slated to open at the end of December.
Bread & Roses Bakery Amsden Station Restaurant & Bar
Bert’s SpeakCheezy
108 Court St., Versailles, Ky. amsdenstation.com
2985 Liberty Road bertsspeakcheezy.com
In mid-September, a new restaurant focusing on modern American cuisine opened in the 1890s building in downtown Versailles that most recently housed Vallozzi’s, under the same local leadership.
With a sister location in downtown Berea and a mobile food truck to its name, the burgeoning gourmet grilled cheese empire Bert’s SpeakCheezy has expanded to include a new brick-and-mortar restaurant in Lexington, which opened in September 2025.
Featuring several elevated yet comfortable dining areas, including a private event space and a mezzanine-based bar and wine cellar, the restaurant complements the adjacent Amsden Bar, a watering hole known for its extensive bourbon library that opened in 2017. Among the menu highlights at Amsden Station, are crab beignets, warm spinach dip and customizable pizzas, with entrees that include pan-seared scallops and hanger steak.
The business originally launched as a food truck, with its gloriously gooey sandwiches quickly amassing a fanbase. Menu highlights include The Hotsy Totsy (cheesy buffalo chicken dip on Texas toast), The Dizzy Dame, which features basil, tomato and mozzarella on artisan bread, and The Blind Pig, a smoky pulled pork BBQ grilled cheese.
446 E. High St. • michlers.com/pages/ bread-and-roses-bakery With chocolate croissants, danishes and cinnamon rolls, as well as a daily-rotating selection of internationally-inspired bread styles such as focaccia, baguettes and schwartzbrot, Bread & Roses Bakery adds the sweet smell of freshly baked breads and pastries to its floral family, the adjacent Michler’s Florist, Greenhouses & Gardens and Kentucky Native Cafè. The bakery is located in a former office building on High Street next to the florist and cafè. Rather than focusing on early hours/ breakfast items, the bakery is geared toward more of an afternoon/evening crowd, according to owner Robin Michler, though he said it hopes to extend hours soon. Bread pre-orders are available.
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Your voices! Your choices! It’s time to celebrate the heart of our city — Best of Lex is officially back! Starting Dec. 19, you’ll have two weeks to nominate the businesses, creatives, restaurants, and community champions who make Lexington feel like home. Once we compile the top picks, voting begins Jan. 7.
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Lift up your favorites. Support the places you love. And yes, nominate your business, your go-tos, and anyone you think deserves recognition! Together, let’s honor the best of everything and everyone that makes our city exceptional.
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fresh, in-season produce, locally sourced meats and artisan ingredients, with every dish made fresh from scratch. The culinary team is led by chef Thomas Ontko, whose philosophy centers around honest cooking: simple, exceptional ingredients treated with respect, Mills continued. Menu highlights include wood-fired pizzas, fresh pasta, cocktails, pastries and other desserts, with specialty coffee from the Funky Rooster Coffee Bar and brunch favorites that include Nutella-stuffed French toast and Japanese-style fluffy pancakes.
Floating Lotus Kitchen 4371 Old Harrodsburg Road, Ste. #105 floatinglotuskitchen.com CAFÈ PATACHOU | PHOTO FURNISHED
Cafè Patachou 4040 Finn Way, Ste. #110 cafepatachou.com Lexington’s Summit at Fritz Farm is now home to the first location outside Indiana of the Indianapolis-based “all-day cafe” Cafè Patachou, which offers an elevated take on breakfast and lunch. The menu offers approachable yet creative breakfast offerings, from French omelettes and chilaquiles to croissant French toast and cinnamon toast, and lunch dishes like a cilantro-lime quinoa bowl, green goddess salad, and tomato artichoke soup. Beverage options are anchored by a serve-yourself coffee bar, with seasonal lattes and brunch cocktails, wine, beer and non-alcoholic options also available. The cafè is open for breakfast, brunch and lunch seven days a week.
With comforting sandwiches, bowls and soups, and locally-sourced bread and coffee, Floating Lotus Kitchen opened in August 2025 to bring a harmony of flavors to diners’ palates in South Elkhorn Village. The restaurant was created by the trio of French-Thai chef Melissa Chulavalli, who has more than three decades’ experience working in San Francisco restaurants, and her sons, Julian and Eric. With warm wood, natural light, a spacious community table and an open-concept kitchen, the quaint 800-square-foot café is designed to feel inviting, comfortable and productive, Eric said. According to Chulavalli, the restaurant emphasizes nourishment without rigid
rules — real ingredients, balanced flavors, and food that leaves guests feeling energized rather than weighed down. Among the concept’s tasty and nourishing items are a turkey gouda “jamwich,” a sandwich layered with raspberry jam, smoked gouda and the café’s house made chipotle chili-crisp mayo; a grilled eggplant sandwich with house made hummus and olive tapenade with romesco sauce; and lunch combos with duos like a coconut carrot soup and a chicken satay wrap. The Black Sesame Cream Matcha Latte is among the fan favorites on the beverage menu.
Ford’s Garage 140 Rojay Dr. • fordsgarageusa.com/ locations/lexington In November, Ford’s Garage, opened near Fayette Mall, specializing in craft beer and burgers amidst a backdrop of vintage auto Americana, with decor hinging on vintage vehicles and Ford memorabilia. “From the décor to the food, every element is designed to celebrate American innovation, hospitality, and immersing our guests in a timeless story of the historic Ford brand,” stated a press release issued by the restaurant’s owning franchise group, Tin Lizzie Restaurants. The “Burgers of Fame” menu includes varieties of black Angus burgers topped with house made sauces on artisan buns; non-burger options include meatloaf, pulled pork mac-and-cheese, fish and chips and pork ribs.
CHAR | PHOTO FURNISHED
CHAR 316 S. Ashland Ave. char-on-ashland.com In July, a new concept opened in the heart of the Chevy Chase business district — one that owner Rollie Mills says combines “a love of craft coffee, quality-driven food, and elevated but approachable cocktails into one cohesive neighborhood space.” With an elevated and welcoming openconcept interior dining area and a charming Mediterranean-inspired patio that’s tented and heated during cold-weather months, Mills describes the ambience as welcoming and elevated, much like a European cafè. The menu spotlights
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The Greek classics you crave. The dining experience you deserve.
accepting new patients
Welcome to dinner at Athenian Grill.
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Combining traditional cooking techniques with modern innovation, we provide an elevated Greek dining experience. Now with table service at our new beloved brick-and-mortar establishment in Lexington. Welcome to dinner at Athenian Grill. Beer, wine & liquor menu available.
ASHLAND AVE. 313 S. ASHLAND AVE. (859) 303-5048
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J.B. Steele’s 4750 Hartland Pkwy., Ste. #128 jbsteeles.com JB Steele’s, a locally owned and familyfriendly bar and grill, opened in late August at Hartland Shopping Center. Open for daily lunch and dinner service, with Saturday and Sunday brunch, the casual neighborhood restaurant’s offerings include chicken finger salads, wraps, burgers, comfort foods, steak, pastas, chicken and more. Daily specials range from fried chicken and meatloaf to pot roast and Italian fare. Dining room and bar area televisions make it a great place to watch sports.
Le Gourmet 1080 S. Broadway, Ste. #107 @Le Gourmet Bakery on Facebook A longtime veteran of the food industry, chef/owner Patricia Gedeon infuses her Haitian dishes with comfort and skill in her new restaurant, Le Gourmet, which opened in mid-September. After working in her family-run restaurant in Haiti and moving to America, Gedeon fulfilled her dream of owning her own restaurant and sharing with the community her beloved meals which she describes as being spicy and flavorful “food for the soul.” Menu items include beef bourguignon, poulet pane (breaded fried chicken), grilled fish, soup and much more.
Millstone 380 S. Mill St. • millstonelex.com Millstone, a new casual-upscale American restaurant rooted in Kentucky hospitality and regional influence, opened its doors in November in the iconic Dudley Square
SILK’S STEAKHOUSE | PHOTO FURNISHED
space that formerly housed the Dudley’s and Sabio restaurants. With chef/owner Tyler Murray at the helm, the restaurant offers dinner service seven days a week, with plans to expand into lunch service in the near future. Blending thoughtful technique with approachable favorites, the restaurant’s menu offerings focus on familiar and approachable yet elevated regionally influenced dishes, such as a take on chicken and dumplings that pairs seared, roasted chicken thighs with pillowy Parmesanricotta gnocchi and wild mushrooms. The space has been refreshed to include four distinct dining areas: an existing dining room for larger groups, a bar that seats 20, a newly added dining room built on the former patio footprint, and above that addition, a spacious seasonal deck shaded by trees. Murray said the restaurant aims to be a place that feels worthy of a nice date night, yet comfortable, casual and affordable enough for a weekday dinner when cooking isn’t in the cards.
Nothing But Noodles (COMING SOON) 4257 Harrodsburg Road www.nothingbutnoodles.com
MILLSTONE | PHOTO FURNISHED
The franchise Nothing But Noodles is set to bring its slurpy, soupy and saucy goodness to the Palomar area in early 2026.
The fast-casual restaurant’s menu includes traditional noodle dishes such as spaghetti and meatballs, macaroniand-cheese and fettuccine Alfredo, with specialties that inlcude Cajun noodles, mushroom ravioli, shrimp scampi, stuffed shells and more. Customization is easy, with options to add meatballs, chicken, shrimp, beef, veggies or tofu to any noodle bowl or salad for a small upcharge, Non-noodle dishes include Thai lettuce wraps, salads and soups.
Silk’s Steakhouse 101 N. Main St., Versailles, Ky. silkssteakhouse.com Silk’s Steakhouse recently opened within downtown Versailles’ new luxury boutique hotel The Aldenburg, located in an 1850s-era former bank building. The white tablecloth restaurant features prime dry-aged beef, an elevated wine and spirits program and working on-site craft distillery, with plans to open a new rooftop bar with small plates and cocktails this spring. The hotel and restaurant are both designed by lifestyle blogger Emily Riddle, of Gathered living. The menu includes seafood, salads, desserts and house specialties like shrimp gnocchi with tomato, grana padano and herbs; ruby red trout amandine with celery root, haricot vert and almonds in browned butter; lamb chops; and with a variety of beef cuts.
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MIND BODY STUDIO
VOTED LEXINGTON’S FAVORITE DOWNTOWN RESTAURANT
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At Coles, a meal is never just a meal. It’s a celebration of living and dining well. 859.266.9000 • www.coles735main.com
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• 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
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The Dance of the Heart
Tai Chi and Therapeutic Massage
• 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
MIND BODY STUDIO 517 A SOUTHLAND DR. • LEXINGTON • 859-373-0033
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Southern Cookhouse & Bar 844 Hays Blvd. southerncookhousebar.com With large televisions to watch sports events, a fireplace and a large, covered patio adding to the atmosphere, the neighborhood tavern Southern Cookhouse & Bar, opened in mid-September in the Andover/Chilesburg neighborhood location most recently occupied by The BLVD Grill. Co-owner Bryan Henderson said the familiar burgers, entrees, sandwiches, pizzas and salads have been enhanced with flavorful Southern flair in an elevated but casual atmosphere. The location boasts a full-service bar with in-house specialty cocktails, too. Among the “shining stars” on the menu are The Carlisle, filet tips smothered in a house made bourbon glaze with cheesy grits and green beans; the Baton Rouge, a grilled redfish topped with homemade gumbo and cheddar grits; and a Southern burger, topped with bacon, pimento cheese, BBQ sauce, cole slaw and more.
Umami Ramen & Grill
THE V | PHOTO FURNISHED
836 Euclid Ave., Ste. #105 www.umamilex.com Don’t be fooled by its name. There’s much more to the Japanese comfort food restaurant that opened this summer in the former location of McAlister’s Deli than grilled items and ramen. The menu also includes fried rice and noodle bowls, as well as appetizers like edamame, spicy pickles and crab rangoon.
Ramen is indeed central to the menu, however, with ingredients that include fried chicken, spicy beef, black garlic, bok choy, a marinated egg and much more.
“Our menu highlights rich, slow-cooked broths and freshly prepared grill items that balance authentic Japanese flavors,” owner Wenxuan He said.
Among the items on the “grill” menu are teriyaki chicken, katsu curry don and salmon misoyaki.
Rounding out the restaurant’s offerings are Boba teas, fruit teas, beer, wine, sake, and tempura deserts.
The V (AT THE VINE) 106 W. Vine St., 9th Floor thevinelex.com/restaurant This new upscale downtown restaurant opened in September, with Lexington chef and restaurateur Cole Arimes overseeing the menu. The restaurant is part of The Vine development, a hotel-condos complex with a private social club. Club members are given first priority for reservations at The V, though the public can also partake of the restaurant’s fresh seafood, premium steaks, house specialties, and curated wine pairings. VIP culinary experiences and private dining options are also available.
UMAMI RAMEN & GRILL | PHOTO FURNISHED
Recent menu items included Hakkaido scallops with braised red cabbage and country ham; a lamb rack with pea and mint vegetable pakora; and, for dessert, pistachio-crusted chocolate mousse.
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NEW LOCATIONS & RELOCATIONS Athenian Grill FAYETTE MALL 3801 Mall Road, Ste. #120 atheniangrill.com/locations/ fayette-mall Athenian Grill added a new location to its local family of Greek restaurants at the Fayette Mall-area location that offers the option of sit-down or counter service, with cherished family recipes waiting to be shared by the plateful. The Mall Road restaurant offers everything from octopus and Greek sausage appetizers to traditional hummus and avgolemono soup with chicken broth, rice, egg, lemon and chicken as well as traditional lamb/beef gyros, and alternatives like chicken or vegetables. Rounding out the menu are hearty moussaka, pasta dishes and sandwiches, souvlaki skewers, customizable bowls, sides and decadent homemade sweets like baklava and a Greek orange cake called portokalopita.
Bella Cafè Hamburg 2200 War Admiral Way bellacafeandgrille.com With bustling locations in Chevy Chase and Palomar, the Lexington eatery Bella Cafè opened a third location in Hamburg Pavilion in November. Like its sister locations, the cafè focuses on classic dishes made from scratch with fresh ingredients, in an “everyday elevated atmosphere.” The seasonal menu currently features a steak salad on grilled romaine, a truffle burger, halibut sandwich, roasted chicken and bolognese.
Chicken Salad Chick HAMBURG 1956 Bryant Road, Ste. #1 chickensaladchick.com Chicken Salad Chick has opened its second Lexington location in Hamburg, an area franchise owner Vickie Tranter said she’s been looking to open a location in for more than nine years. The chain offers a dozen flavors of madefrom-scratch chicken salads and two varieties of pimiento cheese. The fan favorite Fancy Nancy contains premium chicken tenderloins, fuji apples, seedless grapes and crushed pecans. The chicken salad is available in sandwich or salad form, or pre-packaged sizes available for carryout.
Chocolate Holler 101 W. Loudon Ave., Ste. #162 (Greyline Station) • chocolateholler.com Those looking to lean into some comfort and coziness to get through the winter season should look no further than the sweet and steaming cups from Chocolate Holler, which recently relocated from Old Vine Street to Greyline Station. The shop specializes in specialty “sipping chocolates” like the Askinosie Zamora (72%), as well as hot chocolates, with flavors like brownie batter and chocolate chai. A full coffee and espresso bar is also available. When warmer weather returns, the shop will offer iced chocolates and cold brew coffee.
Graeter’s Ice Cream 957 Fountainblue Lane, Ste. #110 graeters.com The third Lexington location of Graeter’s Ice Cream is set to open in the Fountains at Palomar development this March. Chip Graeter, a fourth-generation coowner and chief of retail operations for Graeter’s Ice Cream, said the decision to open a new location in this area was a simple matter of supply and demand. “It’s an area of town that we felt was underserved,” he said. “Plus, the opportunity to be a part of a new development with a drive-thru was really appealing.”
Mirror Twin Brewing Co. 4379 Old Harrodsburg Road, Ste. # 110 mirrortwinbrewing.com
BELLA CAFÈ HAMBURG | PHOTO FURNISHED
Mirror Twin Brewing Co. is set to open a new taproom in South Elkhorn Village, in the former SEC Bar location, in midJanuary.
MIRROR TWIN BREWING CO. | PHOTO FURNISHED
The original Mirror Twin location, which opened in 2016 in the Warehouse Block, will remain open; as with that location, the new venue will feature Rolling Oven Pizza as its an on-site food partner. According to co-owner Mike Sobolak, the new location on Lexington’s south end was selected for its growth potential, as well as the energy and layout of the spot. The goal, he said, is to provide what today’s consumer wants in a taproom: a space that’s “intentional, inclusive and worth their time,” with good energy, great drinks, good company, and finally, “variety, comfort, creativity and connection.” “We’re excited to keep evolving with the Lexington community and to offer more than just great beer, but a space that feels like a second home,” he said.
Playa Bowls FRENCH QUARTER 2573 Richmond Road, Ste. # 100 playabowls.com/location/frenchquarter-lexington-ky Touted as “New Jersey’s Original Acai Shop,” Playa Bowls is gaining quite a following in the Bluegrass state, with a new franchise location in Richmond Road’s French Quarter Square following the Palomar location that opened earlier in 2025. The menu features a variety of smoothie bowls, fresh-pressed juices, fruit-packed smoothies and more. The customizable signature bowls are built on bases that include acai, pitaya, kale, coconut, and oatmeal, layered with customizable toppings that include fruit, granola, honey, Nutella, peanut butter and more. n
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MediaLex staff members (l-r): Kiah Arnold, Jacobo Aragón Torres, Mark Royse, Diego Espinoza Masais PHOTO BY MICK JEFFRIES
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A DECADE AFTER LAUNCHING, THE COMMUNITY RADIO STATION RADIOLEX IS EMBARKING ON A FULL-BLOWN TRANSFORMATION STORY BY HANNAH HOBBS PHOTOS BY MICK JEFFRIES
O
ver the course of its 10-year history, the community radio station RadioLex has evolved to fit the ever-changing needs of the community it serves. Looking to the new year ahead, the organization is preparing for its most significant transformation to date. RadioLex, which started as a volunteer-driven low-power FM radio station, is now MediaLex, a comprehensive multilingual media center that will offer training, resources and platforms for Lexington residents to produce podcasts, short films and community-centered journalism. RadioLex officially launched in 2015, under the leadership of founder Deborah Hensley and a small group of likeminded community members, many of whom had been involved in one form or another with WRFL, the college radio station that has been operating from the University of Kentucky since 1988. The organization started as a grassroots project focused on bringing critical attention to public health, with a strong focus on serving Lexington’s rapidly growing Hispanic communities, an audience largely overlooked by mainstream media. The first seeds for the station were sowed in 2011, when Hensley secured two low-power FM licenses in a rare federal release window. Granted on the grounds of public safety and a pressing need for increased Spanish-language communication, it was a notable acheivement for a Lexington entity to be granted those licenses, as most of them were designated for rural areas. This paved the way for the launch of two broadcast channels, WLXU 93.9 FM in English and WLXL 95.7 in Spanish. For years, RadioLex has operated as a radio station by and for the community, with programming centered on locally created news, entertainment and conversation. Its role and reach, however, saw a shift with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic. When Governor Andy Beshear advised businesses to shut down, critical information failed to reach non-English speakers, noted the organization’s general manager, Mark Royse.
The recently rebranded MediaLex is gearing up to become a multimedia platform for communitycreated news and entertainment. PHOTO BY MICK JEFFRIES
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This initiative is just the beginning of a much broader transformation. Under the media academy, the organization plans to offer affordable memberships. Members will have access to ongoing media training including podcasting, video production and media literacy. Members who complete foundational courses will gain access to professional equipment and studio space. The academy is designed to increase community connection and empower new generations of local storytellers. A key component of this structure will be the launch of a community newsroom and newswire, where trained correspondents will produce local news stories in a variety of languages that can be distributed and published across partner outlets throughout central Kentucky and the Appalachian region.
“A lot of businesses in the Hispanic corridor didn’t shut down, because no one had communicated to them in Spanish,” he explained. In response, RadioLex mobilized a team of volunteer interpreters and partnered with city and state officials to translate and broadcast daily updates into 20 languages over the entire course of the pandemic. “That’s when we sort of discovered our power as community radio and the importance of it,” Royse explained. While hard-won trust has been a central facet of the station, as with many non-profits and public broadcasting organizations across the country, it has found itself in challenging times in recent years. The station faced a 50% decrease in fundraising between 2022 and 2023. That deficit was pushed further by recent significant funding cuts at the federal level, forcing the organization and other smaller broadcasters to compete with larger stations for limited resources.
Above: MediaLex general manager Mark Royse is helping guide the organization through what he sees as a “go big or go home” transition. PHOTO BY MICK JEFFRIES
Notably, MediaLex also aims to expand its multi-language broadcasting, including a new digital station for African diaspora communities, focused on broadcasting in Swahili, French and Kinyarwanda. This initiative aims to address gaps in trustworthy reporting that’s locally and generationally relevant for underserved communities. In parallel, MediaLex also plans to develop a local podcast network to both elevate and connect existing and aspiring podcast creators from across Lexington. Rather than producing the shows itself, MediaLex would act as a curator and promoter, boosting local voices, helping find audiences, and providing technical and distribution support.
“Our current model was not sustainable,” Royse stated. “It was a moment of ‘we’ve got to go big, or we’ve got to go home.’” This reckoning led Royse to look to other organizations for inspiration, including a longstanding model established by the Grand Rapids Community Media Center, which has operated for 50 years with various media sources bringing the community together. With support from the Bluegrass Community Foundation and its Press Forward Bluegrass initiative, a nationwide network designed to strengthen community news organizations, the vision for MediaLex is working its way to fruition. One of the primary goals for the transition will be the launch of a new Community Media Academy, with a community correspondent program at its core. That program will be designed to train residents in the basics of journalism, media ethics and production skills, creating pathways to new opportunities for the underserved to share their stories. It’s Royse’s hope that the academy will also continue to foster more formal partnerships, with plans to offer mentorship opportunities to juniors and seniors of the University of Kentucky School of Journalism, as well as a youth broadcast training collaboration with the STEAM Academy.
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While Royse and the MediaLex staff have worked hard to flesh out this vision, Royse emphasizes that there’s still a long way to go to bring the vision to fruition. The plans are still contingent on funding, community interest and buy-in, and other factors. To sustain and scale these efforts, MediaLex plans on developing a media services subdivision designed to support the community while also supporting itself. The division would offer sliding-scale services, including video production, social media management, and digital storytelling for local nonprofits. This initiative will provide essential, affordable resources to mission-driven organizations while creating a reliable revenue stream to continue funding MediaLex’s broader community programs and their own mission of connecting people from different backgrounds and cultures.
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Royse states, “We have always called RadioLex the voice of the people, and MediaLex will continue to be that. It’s the voice of the people.”
> edwardjones.com | Member SIPC
More information on MediaLex can be found at medialex.us. n
Under the leadership of founder Debra Hensley and a team of likeminded community members, RadioLex launched in 2015 as a low-powered community radio station with two broadcast channels. PHOTO BY MICK JEFFRIES
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NON-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT
PAWS 4 THE CAUSE FIGHTING FOR KENTUCKY’S ANIMALS, ONE RESCUE AT A TIME
O
STORY BY BRENT OWEN
Following the groundwork laid by organization founder Remy Simpson (pictured above and to the right), Paws 4 the Cause works to find permanent loving homes for hundreds of animals each year. PHOTOS FURNISHED
n the corner of Newtown Pike and Second Street, behind the steady hum of Lexington traffic and the shuffle of daily life, an organization called Paws 4 the Cause is running at full stride. Founded in 2008 by animal advocate Remy Simpson, Paws 4 the Cause has grown from a modest grassroots effort into a lifeline for rural shelters, overwhelmed families, and forgotten pets throughout Kentucky. The organization is entirely donor-supported, operating without the government funding available to larger agencies. The organization considers its role as more of a placement organization than a traditional shelter, focusing on getting animals into permanent, loving homes. In 2025 alone, they took in over 1,000 dogs and 600 cats — a staggering number that highlights not only a need in the region, but also the relentless dedication of those working behind the scenes, like vice president and general manager Anita Spaitzer. “Everything that comes in these doors is money from people who have donated,” she said, adding that annual fundraisers including Barktoberfest, a Valentine’s Day dance and the Roaring ’20s-inspired Pawbition gala also help to keep the doors open.
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PHOTOS FURNISHED
Today, Paws 4 the Cause houses or fosters about 60 animals, a number that will fluctuate by the day, depending on the need that arises in our community. The stories behind the animals reveal the wider challenges facing Kentucky families. “Right now, a lot of people in the community are giving away their animals because they have to move and their new situations aren’t conducive to pets, because life happens,” Spaitzer said. Others are forced to surrender their pets due to financial hardship and the high cost of living. “Some owners are put in a position to take care of their pet’s needs or buy groceries,” Spaitzer says. “That’s not fair to the family or the animal, and we want to help.” These difficult times have inspired Paws 4 the Cause to launch a low-cost veterinary clinic, slated to open later this year. With a mission hinging on providing professional and affordable pet medical care, the clinic will have a fully functional facility that includes exam rooms, quarantine space, an operating room and diagnostic equipment, and will employ a full-time vet and technicians. The facility will also feature a community space to exhibit the work of local and regional artists, with the goal of hosting public events, like a monthly spaghetti dinner. Though illness has forced founder Remy
Simpson to step back from daily operations, he remains the heart of the organization, his commitment undiminished. “We want to build something that will serve the animals long after we can,” said Spaitzer, who moved to Kentucky from New York 17 years ago, bringing broad experience in emergency response and animal welfare. “I’ve been doing rescue for over 45 years,” she says. “I lived through and did searchand-rescue on 9/11. I did a lot of work with Hurricane Katrina, as well.” She traveled across Canada and the United States studying different shelter systems before settling in Kentucky at the encouragement of a friend. The state’s natural beauty drew her in — but the animals are what kept her here. “Little did I know that God had a sense of humor when he brought me here. Kentucky was the worst state in the country when it came to animal abuse,” she says. “Immediately I felt like I needed to be here, to help.”
Paws 4 the Cause has worked closely with Kentucky Senator Reginald Thomas to strengthen cruelty laws, make cockfighting a felony, and push for mandatory statewide spay and neuter requirements. The organization is also advocating for reimbursement legislation to support shelters overwhelmed by animal-hoarding cases — something small facilities are rarely equipped to handle on short notice. “It’s a whole political game,” Spaitzer said, describing how proposals get altered, cut down, or delayed. But for her, the work is non-negotiable. “Stronger laws make it easier for law enforcement to hold people accountable.” In a state ripe with animal-welfare challenges, Paws 4 the Cause stands as proof of what passion, persistence and community support can accomplish. For Spaitzer, the story comes full circle. “Remy’s had rescue in his heart since he was a kid, and so have I,” she says, recalling her first animal rescue at age five: a stray kitten on a New York street.
Thanks to the work of advocates like Paws 4 the Cause, the state’s ranking has started to improve, recently ticking up to 46th.
Decades later, that instinct has grown into an organization that is reshaping Kentucky’s future — one animal, one law, and one family at a time.
The organization is not just responding to Kentucky’s animal-welfare problems. It’s working to change the laws behind them.
More information about Lexington’s Paws 4 the Cause can be found at www. paws4thecause.com. n
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W I S H I N G YO U H A P P Y H O L I DAY S & H A P P Y N E W Y E A R F RO M T H E FRANCES M TEAM
HOME GIFT GARDEN 631 E MAIN ST LEXINGTON, KY PA R K I N G I N T H E R E A R
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DRINK OF THE MONTH
CHERRY 75
RECIPE AND PHOTO BY AMY EDDIE
Effervescent, elegant, and just sweet enough, this sparkling, jewel-toned twist on a classic cocktail (French 75) is perfect for ringing in the New Year with something bright, bubbly and beautifully festive.
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Ingredients: • 1 ½ ounce Empress 1908 Gin (for that signature purple hue) • 2 cocktail cherries (Luxardo or Trader Joe’s recommended) • ½ ounce fresh lemon juice • ½ ounce simple syrup (adjust to taste) • ½ ounce cherry liqueur • Sparkling wine, to top Method: Add the cherries to a champagne or coupe glass and set aside. Shake gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and cherry liqueur with ice. Fine strain into the prepared glass, then top with sparkling wine. Cheers to a bright New Year! n
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EventsCalendar CONCERTS & GIGS Yacht Rock Party with Ben Lacy & Corey Cross. Jan. 4. Two of Lexington’s favorite guitar talents team up for a night of smooth ’70s and ’80s soft rock hits, breezy nostalgia and laid-back virtuosity. 6-9 p.m. Wildside Winery, 5500 Troy Pike (Versailles) www.wildsidewinery.com Maggie Antone. Jan. 9. Rising Nashville singer-songwriter Maggie Antone brings her blend of tender Americana, sharp storytelling and viral breakout energy to The Burl for an intimate winter stop. 8 p.m. The Burl, 375 Thompson Rd. www.theburlky.com Mountain Grass Unit. Jan. 15. This Alabama trio pushes bluegrass into adventurous new territory with intricate picking and genre-blurring improvisation. 8 p.m. The Burl, 375 Thompson Rd. www.theburlky.com Candlelight Concerts: Queen vs. ABBA. Jan. 17. A string quartet performs the biggest hits of Queen and ABBA by candlelight, blending classical warmth with arena-scale anthems in an immersive setting. 6:30 and 9 p.m. Manchester Music Hall, 899 Manchester St. www.tinyurl. com/lexcandles Champs of the Sun & Bonneville Tigers. Jan. 23. A double local bill pairing the sun-soaked psych-pop of Champs of the Sun with the rollicking Americana energy of Bonneville Tigers. 8 p.m. The Burl, 375 Thompson Rd. www.theburlky.com Joshua Redman Quartet. Jan. 23. One of the most influential saxophonists of his generation returns with a powerhouse quartet, delivering contemporary jazz marked by precision, spontaneity, and emotional depth. 7:30 p.m. Singletary Center for the Arts, 405 Rose St. www. scfatickets.com East Nash Grass. Jan. 30. One of Nashville’s sharpest bluegrass bands brings tight harmonies and a modern edge to a tradition-rich sound. 8 p.m. The Burl, 375 Thompson Rd. www.theburlky.com
PHOTO FURNISHED
Singletary Center and GreenRoom Exchange present Tarta Relena
evening of vocal exploration will feature perforJAN This mance by Barcelona's Tarta Relena, a duo that reimagines Mediterranean a cappella vocal traditions with fearless
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experimentation, blending sacred and profane, ancient and modern. The evening will also feature a performance of artist Meara O'Reilly's 2019 album “Hockets for Two Voices,” an album that explores the practice of hocketing: defined by splitting a melody across multiple parts, in often very surprising ways. The album, which Sonic Youth’s Lee Ranaldo said, “sends you, moves you, destroys you with beauty,” will be performed by artists Mingjia Chen & Linnea Sablosky. 7:30 p.m. Singletary Center for the Arts, 405 Rose St. www.scfatickets.com
SMILEYPETE.COM || JANUARY 2026
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WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!
We’re celebrating 101 new charitable funds this year. Join our growing community of givers!
Partnering with Blue Grass Community Foundation brings your philanthropy to life. Let’s talk about whatWELCOME your generosity accomplish, together! 1965 Medical TO Foundation THEcan FAMIBerea Arts Council EndowLY! 1965 Medical Foundation Gatton Park Conservancy Endowed Mike and Jonna Knox Charitable Fund ment Fund Berea Arts Council Endowment Fund Fund Mission Health Lexington Reserve Fund Bill and Doris Settles Endowment Fund Gene and Mary Ann Burch Family Fund Mong Family Charitable Foundation Bill and Doris Settles EndowBilly F. Van Pelt, II and Todd R. Cheever, Goetz and McCormac Charitable Fund Mong Family Charitable FUND ment MD Charitable Fund Goetz andFund McCormac Designated Fund Mt. Sterling Montgomery County Bim Group Employee Assistance Fund Greely Family Foundation Community Fund Billy F. Van Pelt, II and Todd R. Brad and Susan Tanner Charitable Fund High Street Neighborhood Center Fund Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund Cheever, MD Charitable Fund Brewer Family Fund for FarmacyWV Hoffman Rose Fund Paris Enterprise Endowed Fund Buck and Lillie May Patrick Scholarship Holley-Slaughter Charitable Foundation Paris Westside Neighborhood Bim Group Employee AssisFund Jane Schoenfeld Shropshire Legacy Association Fund tance Fund Build A Bigger Table Fund Peter and Debra Hille Family Fund Carol Spurlin DeJarnette Knaus Janice Kuperstein Tzedakah Charitable Brad and Susan Tanner Chari- Robin Gwinn Award for Academic Charitable Foundation Carter-Wolfe Legacy Fund Christopher Haley Logan Foundation Citizens for Bourbon County Foundation Fiscal Sponsorship CivicLex Endowment Fund Community Pollinator Garden Courtelis Charitable Fund Crawford Cemetery Fund Dahlhus Fund Damron Charitable Fund David Gross Family Charitable Fund Deborah Alexander Charitable Foundation Deep Gladness Fund Donna L. Hutton Charitable Fund Elkington Giving Fund Erin and David Young Charitable Fund Ezrine Sanctuary Fund for Ohavay Zion Synagogue Father Norman Fischer Foundation Faulkner Morgan Archive Endowment Fitts Charitable Fund Four Corners Building Supply Charitable Fund Frankfort Feeds Friends of Latrobe’s Pope Villa Fund Gary and Tiffany Bizzack Family Foundation
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Fund Janie (Allen) Holbrook Memorial Fund John and Margaret Wharton Charitable Fund Joni Fowler Family Foundation Josiah Dale Trade School Scholarship Kelley’s Landing Fiscal Sponsorship Kelley’s Landing Fund Kentucky Educational Television (KET) Endowment Fund Kentucky Social Welfare Foundation Kentucky State Parks Foundation Education Fund Klausing Group 10% for the Community Charitable Fund KSVT Future Fund Leeds Center for the Arts Non-Endowed Fund Lexington Challenger Tennis Charity Inc., Fund Lexington Public Art Maintenance Fund Liam and Jane D. Moriarty Fund Lillian Delaney Educational Fund through the Pearls of Service Foundation Inc Linch Family Trades Fund Marcie Reynolds Thomason StudentAthlete Memorial Scholarship Mattress Firm Foundation Max B. Morris Benevolency Fund
Achievement Robin Gwinn Tuition Scholarship Rompf Family Fund Salmon Family Fund Schuermer Family Fund Sharon M. Naas Charitable Fund Sigma Tau Delta Charitable Fund Spinoza Society Fund St Mary Buchanan Fund St Mary School Susan Margaret Dann Fund Susan Spires Medical Endowment Fund Switzer Charitable Fund The AVOL Endowment Fund The Ellmers Family Charitable Fund The Schoenfeld Shropshire Fund The Sisters Legacy Fund Thomas W. Hafley Scholarship Three Cashews Endowment Tom and Carol Woods Foundation Tom and Teresa Young Fund for Fundacion Hombro a Hombro Trellis Fund Trinity Church of Columbia, KY Property Endowment Trinity Church of Columbia, KY Youth Endowment Undermain Fund - America250KY WinCity Media Fund You Are Co Programming Fund for Precious Life Foundation for Africa
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ART & EXHIBITS
The Nude Biennial
Lexington Art League’s THRU The long-running juried showcase
with a survey of JAN returns contemporary figurative work
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from Kentucky artists. Rather than a central theme, the exhibition highlights the range of approaches — traditional, experimental and conceptual — that define the region’s current dialogue around the human form. Gallery hours: Wed.-Sat., noon-5 p.m. Loudoun House, 209 Castlewood Dr. www.lexingtonartleague.org
Between Structure and Chaos. On display Jan. 14-May 4. The University of Kentucky Art Museum presents a cross-disciplinary look at how artists use form, material and composition to navigate instability. The exhibition brings together works that play with rhythm, interruption and control, inviting viewers to consider how visual order is built — and undone. Gallery hours: Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., noon-5 p.m. University of Kentucky Art Museum, 405 Rose St. finearts.uky.edu/ art-museum
PHOTO BY BRETT CORMAN
Guest-curated by Tom Eblen, the Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center exhibit "Lexington at 250" features the work of 31 photographers.
Lexington at 250. On display through Feb. 7. In celebration of Lexington’s sesquicentennial, 31 local photographers offer glimpses of the city’s recent history, culture and natural beauty in an exhibit guest curated by Tom Eblen. Gallery hours: Mon.Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat., noon-5 p.m. Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center City Gallery, 141 E. Main St. lexingtonky.gov/ pam-miller-downtown-arts-center
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SMILEY PETE’S RETAIL GUIDE
ETC. Local Author Spotlight. Jan. 4. This in-store signing event featuring regional writers Aiden Ballowe, Jamie D’Amato, S. Lee Davis and Peter Pavkovich is a chance for readers to meet emerging authors and discover new Kentucky voices. 1:30 p.m. Joseph-Beth Booksellers, 161 Lexington Green Cir. www.josephbeth.com Etta May. Jan 15-17. The “Queen of Southern Sass” returns with sharp-witted stand-up and Southern-fried storytelling across three nights. Thur., 6:30 p.m.; Fri., 6:30 and 9 p.m.; Sat., 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Comedy Off Broadway, 161 Lexington Green Cir. www.comedyoffbroadway.com Studio Players: “Murdered to Death.” Jan. 14-18, 23-25, 3031, Feb. 1. A classic whodunit spoof unfolds in this comedic homage to British detective mysteries, packed with mishaps, misunderstandings and cleverly timed chaos. 7:30 p.m. nightly, with 2:30 p.m. matinees on Sundays. Carriage House Theatre, 154 W. Bell Ct. www.studioplayers.org Nathan Meltzer. Jan. 16. International violinist Nathan Meltzer performs a program showcasing expressive range and technical brilliance. 7:30 p.m. Norton Center for the Arts, Weisiger Theatre, 600 W. Walnut St., Danville. www.nortoncenter.com LexPhil: Twist & Shout: The Music of The Beatles — A Symphonic Experience. Jan. 23. The Lexington Philharmonic reimagines iconic hits from The Beatles with full orchestral arrangements in this high-energy musical tribute. 7:30 p.m. Singletary Center for the Arts, 405 Rose St. www.lexphil.org
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The Jokers of Magic. Jan. 23. A lineup of magicians presents illusions, sleight-of-hand and lighthearted theatricality in this family-friendly showcase. 7 p.m. Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St. www.lexingtonoperahouse.com Freaky Fridays Film Series: “She Killed In Ecstasy.” Jan. 23. Jess Franco’s 1971 cult thriller screens as part of Kentucky Theatre’s late-night series, blending noir mood, surreal style and vintage Euro-horror. 10 p.m. Kentucky Theatre, 214 E. Main St. www.kentuckytheatre.org
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Shelly Belly. Jan. 31. The comedian known for unfiltered, Southernleaning humor presents a night of bold, irreverent storytelling. 8 p.m. Manchester Music Hall, 899 Manchester St. www.manchestermusichall.com
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Acclaimed violinist Nathan Meltzer will perform in Danville at the Norton Center for the Arts on Jan. 16. PHOTO BY TAM PHOTOGRAPHY
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Call 859-619-0439 for a FREE consultation. Visit thecollegeprojectky.com for more info. SMILEYPETE.COM || JANUARY 2026
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Aquaventure 2025. On display March 3-May 2. This exhibit will display diverse works aninstall array We’re from looking to our GENERATION gutter of top artists from NEXT the Kentucky guard on your home! Watercolor Society. An opening reception will take place in conjunction with the LexArts Hop on March 21 (5-8 p.m.). Gallery hours: Fri-Sat., 12-4 p.m. and by appointment. Artist’s–Attic, 401 W. YOUR Main St., FULL SERVICE GUTTER PROTECTION SCHEDULE Suite 401. www.theartistsattic.org
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NEW YEAR'S EVE EVENTS
PHOTO BY PATRICK BRUMBACK
The local supergroup Bolo Mules will perform two nights of '90s country covers at The Burl, Dec. 30-31.
Bolo Mules. Dec. 30-31. The Burl hosts a two-night run from the Bolo Mules, whose lean, hard-driving country sound has become a reliable draw on Lexington’s live circuit. The shows promise tight musicianship and the kind of late-December energy that turns a familiar room into a place to let the year fall away. 8 p.m. The Burl, 375 Thompson Rd. www.theburlky.com Decades Party. Dec. 31. Neon Moon rings in the new year with a decade-themed flashback celebration featuring karaoke, music videos, and a champagne toast at midnight. Dress in the style of your favorite decade. 9 p.m. Neon Moon, 1801 Alexandria Dr. www.theneonmoon.com Cosmic Countdown. Dec. 31. Manchester Music Hall ushers in the new year with a high-energy celebration featuring glowing lights, cosmic décor and a performance by Naked Karate Girls. Expect galaxy-themed drinks, a costume contest, VIP upgrades and a midnight champagne toast. 8 p.m. Manchester Music Hall, 899 Manchester St. www.manchestermusichall.com New Year’s Eve with Lee Kimbrell. Dec. 31. Kentucky-born comedian Lee Kimbrell headlines a night of upbeat stand-up to close out the year. Known for his energetic delivery and sharp storytelling, he has opened for performers including Theo Von, Brian Regan and Damon Wayans. 6:30 and 9 p.m. Comedy Off Broadway, 161 Lexington Green Cir. www.comedyoffbroadway.com New Year’s Eve at the Kentucky Castle. Dec. 31. The Kentucky Castle marks the holiday with an upscale evening featuring a multi-course dinner, craft cocktails, live entertainment and a midnight toast inside one of the region’s most distinctive venues. 7 p.m.–12:30 a.m. The Kentucky Castle, 230 Pisgah Pike, Versailles. www.thekentuckycastle.com n
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PETE’S PROPERTIES Recent Residential Property Transactions
40502 3089 Montavesta Rd. $360,000 269 Lincoln Ave. $392,000 204 S. Hanover Ave. $510,000 2008 Blairmore Rd. $600,000 908 Chinoe Ct. $650,000 653 Mt. Vernon Dr. $700,000 1820 Richmond Rd. $830,000 310 S. Hanover Ave. $1,016,823 400 Ridgeway Rd. $1,045,000 1824 Richmond Rd. $1,256,000 891 McMeekin Pl. $1,400,000 40503 237 Tahoma Rd. $775,000
40513 3904 Lyon Dr. $410,000 2284 Valencia Dr. $469,000 2000 Ermine Ct. $500,000 3221 Ridgecane Rd. $627,000 3312 Higgens Ct. $648,000 2504 Maryaustill Ct. $789,900 40514 2008 Hannibal Ct. $362,500 4365 Calevares Dr. $379,900 1121 Harlan Cir. $399,900 1472 Corona Dr. $480,000 2412 Creekview Ct. $624,900 40515 4712 Hartland Pkwy. $355,000 4732 Ironbridge Dr. $380,000 n
BIGGEST MOVER: 891 McMEEKIN PLACE $1,400,000
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.
48 JULY 2018 || SOUTHSIDERMAGAZINE.COM
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Bluegrass 1 9 9 9 R i c h m o n d R d . , S t e 4 0 0 • L e x i n g t o n , K Y 4 0 5 0 2 • t 8 5 9 - 2 6 8 - 0 0 9 9 • f 8 5 9 - 2 6 8 - 0 0 9 8 • w w w. b g s i r. c o m
Glennlakes Estates Lots $325,000/each
1857 Ironworks Road $420,000
508 E. Main Street #409 $439,900
2920 Eastbrook Court $469,000
647 Gingermill Lane $599,900
3844 Wentworth Place $625,000
Pam Stilz 859.221.6979
Meredith Walker 859.312.8417
Jimmy Turek 859.221.2575
Steve Klein 859.983.3468 Andrew Klein 859.621.7683
Whitney Durham 859.983.9500
Meredith Walker 859.312.8417
863 Edgewater Drive $695,000
870 McMeekin Place $1,595,000
3905 N. Cleveland Road $1,725,000
1404 Meganwood Circle $1,745,000
1742 Lakewood Lane $4,699,000
3337-3389 Rushing Wind Lane
Whitney Durham 859.983.9500
Whitney Durham 859.983.9500
Abby Jones 561.436.4097
Dan Elkinson 310.698.2418
Steve Klein 859.983.3468
Abby Jones 561.436.4097 Becky Reinhold 859.338.1838
Representing fine homes in ALL price ranges.
$16,500,000
*Fine art used with permission. Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty Logo are service marks licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC and used with permission. Bluegrass RE, LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated. Any services or products provided by independently owned and operated franchisees are not provided by, affiliated with or related to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC nor any of its affiliated companies.
Bluegrass
Stunning high-end fully furnished luxury condo located in The Penthouses of City. Center in the heart of downtown Lexington. 3 BR/4 BA, 5,989 sq.ft., marble flooring throughout, breathtaking floor-to-ceiling glass windows, and multiple gathering areas.
1004 Wil Rose Lane
$1,395,000
Own this Rushing Dream Farm, an exquisite compound w/ 3 luxurious homes and two barns with a total of 26 stalls. Recently reimagined by the nationally acclaimed Matthew Carter Interiors, renowned for his signature ‘Southern-chic style,’ and architect Brent Bruner.
Nestled in the Wil Rose Estates of Versailles, KY, and situated on 1.66 landscaped acres. 6 BR/6 BA, 9,281 sq.ft. of privacy, space, and convenience. Features refinished American cherry hardwood floors, soaring ceilings, and exquisite woodworking throughout.
100-102 S. Hanover Avenue
110-112 S. Hanover
322 Owsley Avenue
$479,000
3337-3389 Rushing Wind Lane $16,500,000
$1,295,000
Charming 6-unit apartment building in Ashland Park. Each unit offers hardwood floors, high ceilings, unique built-ins, living room, dining room, kitchen, 2 BR, and a full BA. $200,000 Kentucky Heritage Council historic tax credit that can be passed along to the purchaser.
103 S. Limestone #1150
$3,795,000
$750,000
This lovely Ashland Park duplex features hardwood floors, unique built-ins, living and dining rooms, 2 BR and full BA. Lower level offers shared laundry and storage. Seller prefers to sell 100-102 South Hanover and 110-112 South Hanover together.
Becky Reinhold, Managing Broker
This Craftsman-style 3 BR/2 BA, 1,571 sq.ft. home sits in the heart of Kenwick. Vaulted ceiling dining and familiy rooms, hardwood floors and stone fireplace w/ gas insert. Fenced yard, electric gated driveway, and updated with smart home WiFi and security features.
cell 859.338.1838 • office 859.268.0099 • www.bgsir.com • becky@bgsir.com
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269 S. Hanover Avenue
$1,295,000
Lovely renovated home in historic Ashland Park. 4 BR/ 5 BA, 3,965 sq.ft w/ inviting front porch, hardwood floors, first level living room, dining room, and family room open to a stylishly decorated kitchen. One-car garage, plus alley access for additional parking.
108 Doe Valley
$225,000
Vine Grove is a quintessential Bluegrass development offering 1 acre lots surrounded by 3 large tracts of land preserved as agriculture land only. Each homesite offers beautiful views and privacy. Just minutes from Bannon crossing and Tates Creek Center.
*Fine art used with permission. Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty Logo are service marks licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC and used with permission. Bluegrass RE, LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated. Any services or products provided by independently owned and operated franchisees are not provided by, affiliated with or related to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC nor any of its affiliated companies.
12/9/25 2:19 PM
$20 GIFT CARD BONUS For every $100 gift card purchase, receive a $20 bonus.*
*Valid through Dec 31, 2025. Available in-store or online, select e-gift card for instant delivery. Restrictions for bonus cards apply. Visit bluegrasshospitality.com for details.
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