Featured events range from walks, to talks, to webinars + tree plantings. Here’s a list of quick hits to help you branch out and get involved:

Today, Oct. 11 | How not to kill a tree

Tues., Oct. 12 | Forest bathing for health and well-being

Weds., Oct. 13 | Lexington Cemetery conifer walk

Thurs., Oct. 14 | Small trees for urban landscapes

Fri., Oct. 15 | Money can grow on trees

Sat., Oct. 16 | Arbor Day at The Arboretum

The root of it

The focus on trees results from a 2015 study spearheaded by the Lexington Tree Board which found that Lexington had only a 25% tree canopy — the layer of tree branches and leaves that provide coverage over the ground. The Arbor Day Foundation recommends having 40%.

Thus, multiple community organizations have sprouted up + made it their mission to throw some shade on the streets of Lexington.

Going out on a limb

Trees Lexington! — a partner in Tree Week — is a nonprofit which aims to promote tree canopy on private land through a variety of programs. Consider them your local Google search bar for all things trees.

Trees Lexington! board member Michael Potapov gave this advice, “The number one thing is to take care of the mature trees that are in our landscape already. And if you have room in your yard, plant a tree.”

There’s no way you’ll get stumped on your green journey with the support of these local resources.

By sharing this story electronically you are saving trees.

Use the buttons below to share this story with all your nature-loving, green thumb-having friends.

#MUSTDO

Today

Tee It Up For The Kids | Mon., Oct. 11 | 11 a.m. | Griffin Gate Golf Club | Prices Vary | Support The Foster Care Council with a day on the links + silent auction. ⛳
Essentrics in the Park | Mon., Oct. 11 | 11 a.m. | Hill N Dale Park, 2531 Maplewood Dr. | Free | Bring your own mat or towel for this low impact workout for all fitness levels.
Genealogy 101 | Mon., Oct. 11 | 6 p.m. | Paris-Bourbon County Library | Free | Learn the basics of genealogy + maybe something about your heritage. 📚

Tuesday

Paint + Sip | Tues., Oct. 12 | 6:30 p.m. | Pinot’s Palette | $27 | Grab your friends for a paint + sip night featuring a fun rustic chalkboard pumpkin theme.
Small Trees for Urban Landscapes | Tues., Oct. 12 | 5:30 p.m. | Idle Hour Neighborhood, 124 Idle Hour Dr. | Free | A 1-hour walk through the Idle Hour neighborhood that will showcase 10-15 plants used in local landscaping.

Wednesday

Murder Mystery Dinner on the Rooftop | Wed., Oct. 13 | 7-9 p.m. | The Kentucky Castle | $85 | Dine on the rooftop + figure out whodunnit. 🔍
Launchpad Lex Speaker Series: Entrepreneurship | Wed., Oct. 13 | 5 p.m. | Ethereal Brewing | Registration Required | Opportunity for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and founders to come together, share ideas + build connections 🏙️

Thursday

Barrel House Distillery Tours | Thurs., Oct. 14 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Distillery District, 1200 Manchester Street | $7.84 | You can sample products while learning about Lexington's rich distilling heritage + review the distilling process. 🥃
Art by Nature Gallery Reception | Thurs., Oct. 14 | 5-7 p.m. | Julietta Market | Free | Enjoy light refreshments + music while viewing the tree-themed art exhibit.

Friday

The Mountain Goats | Fri., Oct. 15 | 8-12 p.m. | Manchester Music Hall | $26 | Listen to the indie folk giant live with their newest album. 🪕
80's Night w/ Vinyl Richie | Fri., Oct. 15 | 7 p.m. | The Burl | $12 | Travel back in time for this 80’s retro costume party.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

PLAN YOUR WEEK HERE

NEWS NOTES

Weather

81º | Partly Cloudy | 9% chance of rain

UK Football beat conference rival LSU 42-21 on Saturday night. They are undefeated with a 6-0 record — the first time since 1950. Next up for the Wildcats is the Georgia Bulldogs on Sat., Oct. 16 at 3:30 p.m.

Kids

The city of Lexington announced that trick-or-treating throughout Fayette County will take place on Sun., Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m. Versailles has planned the same time — Nicholasville + Georgetown have not yet announced their plans. (WKYT)

Edu

The Kentucky Chamber Workforce Center announced the launch of the third annual Bus to Business program. The campaign connects students with state employers to learn about career paths available as they continue their education. The first Workforce Wednesday will be hosted by Gray Construction on Oct. 13. (WTVQ)

Learn

UK’s Visiting Writers Series kicks off Wed., Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. with a presentation from Oscar and Academy Award-winning director and screenwriter Kevin Willmott. All events are free + open to the public. (Univ. of Kentucky)

Number

40,981. The number of students + the fundraising goal of Fayette County Public Schools for the Fayette Education Foundation’s “Every Student Matters'' campaign. Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky Inc. kicked things off by making a $20,000 donation last week. (WTVQ)
880. The number of volunteer hours 11 local Girl Scouts completed to earn the Gold Award — the highest honor a Girl Scout can earn. The Gold Award was given to the girls for their work in creating sustainable change within their community. (WTVQ)

Drink

The 10th edition of Angel’s Envy Cask Strength — which comes in a commemorative wooden box — will be released Wed., Dec. 1 with a $229 price tag. There will be 14,760 bottles available in 50 states this year. (Lexington Herald-Leader)

Watch

Lexington native Allie Olson — who now lives in NYC — was featured on the Kelly Clarkson Show after her cancer diagnosis helped form a bond with her UPS delivery man. The episode shares the story of their budding friendship + a reunion with her mother. (LEX18)

Feel Good

The Bob Brown House — which offers independent living to adults with physical + developmental disabilities — is expanding to 24 units. Funding from groups such as Lexington’s Affordable Housing Trust helped build what will be called Independence Homes. (FOX 56).

Cause

The Community Housing Charity Gala was held last week + raised money for affordable housing in Lexington. Proceeds from the event will be split between 3 beneficiaries — Realtor Community Housing Foundation, Lexington Habitat for Humanity, and the ‘REACH’ organization. Coach John Calipari donated $5,000 to the cause. (WTVQ)