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Happy Tuesday, Lexington. In today’s edition: Child well-being dashboard, wreath making with Wilson Plant Co., FoodChain public tour, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Festive fundraiser lifts spirits: On Sunday, a Lexington family opened their home for a holiday display benefiting Kentucky Cystic Fibrosis Services. Visitors said the night brought joy and hope while supporting patient services — learn how you can help.

New child well-being dashboard: Kids Count data finds 1 in 5 Kentucky children in poverty and 21% food insecure, as advocates decry disproportionate impacts on Black and Latinx kids and call for policy changes — read the full story.

Lexington housing crunch spotlighted: A city-commissioned study projects Lexington could be short 30,000 affordable housing units by 2030. Advocates cite 523-day development timelines and rising costs as the city pursues grants and faster approvals — get all the details.

Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since January. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week

• Experience Christmas carols on strings by candlelight
• Experience The Nutcracker with Grand Kyiv Ballet
• Pick up free, locally sourced meals
• Explore Gatton Park’s free Winter Village
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• A home warranty that actually pays is 30% off

Your first month’s on the house

In partnership with SOS Security

A free month is a nice perk…but with SOS Security, it’s also a chance to head into the holidays with a little extra peace of mind.

With their home security system, you get outdoor cameras that let you check in while you’re traveling. Indoor cameras that send a quick clip when the kids get home from their friends’…or when someone walks in with a present for you (just kidding). A front door camera that lets you see when family members from out of state have arrived…then unlock the door for them right from your phone.

Everything works together. Smoke detectors. Carbon monoxide sensors. Temperature controls. Even your garage. If you’re halfway to grandma’s and suddenly wonder if you closed it…one tap from your phone takes care of it.

And the best part? It’s all set up by people who live right here. No call centers, no endless hold music—just local experts who know your community and answer the phone themselves.

Visit secsos.com online or call (859) 281-5710 to request a quote. Mention Lexington Brief and get your first month free.

🫶 We got your back

Holiday campus operations update: UK Winter Break starts Dec. 20, with parking and transit shifts. Most employee lots stay on permit control except Dec. 24 through Jan. 4. Sports Center Garage closes Dec. 20 through Jan. 9. R7, C7 and E7 move to Hilltop. Free covered holiday parking is available. Many bus routes run limited hours or pause Dec. 24 through Jan. 2. See parking and transit changes.

Bourbon marketing earns kudos: The Kentucky Distillers’ Association snagged two Traverse Awards from the Kentucky Travel Industry Association. Its World Bourbon Toast livestream, marking the Kentucky Bourbon Trail’s 25th anniversary, earned an Award of Distinction, while a Kentucky Lottery collaboration took Gold. Judges praised the creativity and community impact, reinforcing bourbon’s star power in Kentucky tourism. See which campaigns won.

Your midweek movie fix: Whether you’re chasing a buzzy premiere or a cozy rewatch with real big-screen vibes, Kentucky Theatre has indie standouts, seasonal crowd-pleasers, and occasional live events…the perfect cure for endless scrolling. Grab a seat, sink into the velvet, and let the picture do the talking.

Hear me out: My mom’s been asking people to repeat themselves 5,281 times too many for years. She always avoided hearing aids like the plague — they’re clunky, obvious, expensive, not really worth it. I always thought “she’s not wrong” until I saw these new invisible hearing aids going viral. In the same boat? Now’s a great time to check them out before unused health benefits expire on the 31st.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now + you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.

📆 Around town this week

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

This week

🖼️ Art Walk – Guided Tour @ 21c Museum Hotel | Tuesday (12/16) at 11:00am – Think you know every mural downtown? Let a smart, funny guide prove you wrong on a stroll through Lexington’s art, sculptures, and story-soaked buildings, with gallery stops along the way. It all ends at Artists’ Attic with refreshments, real artists, and zero pretense.

🍎 Meal Distribution at FoodChain @ FoodChain | Wednesday (12/17) at 4:00pm – FoodChain is serving up fresh, locally grown goodness for anyone who needs a nourishing meal—zero paperwork, zero fuss. Swing by for warm dishes on Mondays and Wednesdays, or grab a grocery box full of Kentucky-grown staples on Fridays. It’s community care at its most delicious, and everyone’s welcome to the table.

🎨 Art and Appetizers @ Artists’ Attic | Thursday (12/18) at 4:00pm – Consider this your classy cheat day for culture. Start with hors d’oeuvres at the Artists’ Attic, home to 20-plus artists, take a guided stroll through downtown art highlights, then land at 21c Museum Hotel for more appetizers, a full bar, and zero pretension.

🖼️ Holiday Art Market & Auction @ LexArts | Friday (12/19) at 12:00pm – Consider this your official invitation to holiday-shop like an art collector. From tiny treasures to bold statement pieces, this market gathers works donated to LexArts plus gems from local creatives—aka the perfect excuse to buy “just one more” gift. Swing by before the season wraps and snag something that’ll make you look effortlessly cultured under the tree.

🥾 Winter Solstice Golden Hour Hike to the Kentucky River @ Floracliff Nature Sanctuary | Friday (12/19) at 3:00pm – Whether you celebrate the solstice with cocoa or just need an excuse to leave emails unread, this golden hour hike at Floracliff is your reset button. Stroll to the Kentucky River as the trees catch the last light, all quiet, calm, and genuinely lovely.

This weekend

🌸 Victorian Flower Pendant @ The Living Arts & Science Center | Saturday (12/20) at 11:00am – Make a floral pendant with artist Christine Kuhn at the Living Arts & Science Center, and decode what a pansy, a rose, and a secret note meant to Victorians. Hear stories of Lexington’s trailblazing women. It is free, bring a teen if you must.

🌿 Wreath Making with Wilson Plant Co. @ Denali Stud | Saturday (12/20) at 11:00am – Stroll past the mares at Denali Stud, then craft a wreath with evergreens, berries, and a hand-tied bow with Wilson Plant Co. Materials and light refreshments included, so bring a friend, sip, snip, and leave with something that smells like winter and looks impressively intentional.

🍰 Yule Log Making Class @ Harkness Edwards Vineyards | Saturday (12/20) at 12:00pm – Finally, a holiday craft you can eat, a hands-on yule log class where you make it from scratch, roll the sponge, swirl the frosting, and leave with a cake you made. Step-by-step guidance, zero stress, and a glass of wine so your piping looks confident.

🍴 FoodChain Public Tour @ FoodChain | Saturday (12/20) at 1:00pm – Take a peek at Kentucky’s first indoor 7,000-gallon aquaponics setup, where tilapia and greens pull off a tidy, waste-not partnership. It’s part science class, part field trip, great for kids 4+, and it meets by Smithtown Seafood and West Sixth, so plan accordingly.

🎁 Charles Phoenex: Holidayland @ Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center | Sunday (12/21) at 2:00pm – Charles Phoenix brings his retro slide show to The Lyric Theatre with a lively tour through vintage holiday memories—from New Year’s sparkle to throwback Thanksgiving potlucks. Expect nostalgic visuals, humor, and plenty of festive personality.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/17 Grace Rogers @ The Green Lantern – 8 pm
• 12/18 Sean Patton @ Comedy Off Broadway – 7 pm
• 12/18 Jarley Yung and more @ The Burl – 8 pm
• 12/19 Name That Song @ Manchester Music Hall – 7 pm
• 12/19 Five Below Band @ Cellar Bar – 8 pm
• 12/20 Aisley Autumn @ Kenwick Table – 7 pm
• 12/20 Christmas Carols on Strings @ Limestone Hall – 8:45 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: Angie Fields (Lifstyl Real Estate)

An 1895 stunner in the Woodward Heights Historic District with 3,109 square feet split into three apartments, currently a thriving Airbnb. Each has a private entrance, kitchen, and living area, plus tall ceilings, original wood floors and woodwork, and big windows that keep the vibe warm and storied.

Blocks to Rupp Arena, Gatton Park, downtown eats and shops, the University of Kentucky, and Transylvania University. Brick-paved, shaded backyard for easy outdoor hangs, and a flexible layout that could convert back to single-family.

Take a peek inside →