And a One, Two, Three

The annual production of Lexington's Ballet Under the Stars will be celebrating its 12th anniversary this year when it kicks off festivities every night at 8:30 p.m. from August 9 - 12. Cultural Arts Director Amber Laullen describes this year's performance as "a program comprised of various classical and modern pieces so the audience will be able to see various types of ballet."

Among its varied pieces, Artistic Director Fu Xijun has chosen to incorporate the classic Chinese ballet-story Yellow River and the Latin Tango into Ballet Under The Stars V 2001.

For more information on this year's performance, call the Division of Parks and Recreation at 288-2925. -Eric Newman

Dead Ducks

Researchers at the UK Animal Diagnostic Lab have divined the source of the plague that resulted in the death of numerous Jacobson Park ducks on July 24. It appears that the ducks were killed by Avian Botulism Type C, a disease produced by natural soil bacteria that can be harmful to avian populations under certain conditions.

The researchers also determined that the bacteria is not harmful to humans, and as such, water activities have been resumed at Jacobson Park.

However, while fishing and water sports have been re-instituted at the park, park officials ask that park patrons not feed the ducks. According to Steve Jackson, the acting director of the Urban County Government Division of Environmental and Emergency Management (DEEM), "Ducks are very sensitive to this type of toxin and feeding them can make the situation worse, especially when you have a large duck population like we have at Jacobson."

Park officials wish to add that no additional dead ducks have been found since Monday, July 31st. For additional information or if you have any questions, please contact the DEEM at 258-3784. -EN

MLKNA and LASC Team Up for Racial Education

The dynamic artist/activist duo of the Martin Luther King Neighborhood Association and the Living Arts and Science Center have teamed up to create an organization which will promote "the learning and acknowledging of our neighborhood's full racial history as a foundation for building tighter bonds of community and connection among ourselves."

The MLKNA and the LASC seek to attract local artists and activists to form the core of this proposed organization and brainstorm for creative ways to incorporate art and community participation to promote racial harmony in Lexington.

Of particular interest is the history of African Americans in Lexington, particularly in the newly restored area of Duncan Park. According to MLKNA member, Rona Roberts, "Duncan Park, located between North Limestone and North Martin Luther King Boulevard at Fifth Street, holds a particularly rich history, one that mirrors a great deal of Lexington's larger history. In particular, [Duncan Park] evokes these themes that have echoed in the larger history of Lexington: wealth and power, slavery and oppression, abolition, racism, civic virtue and charity, segregation, music and recreation, civil rights, neglect and renewal." Both organizations believe these themes are important to understand in a community which is increasingly cosmopolitan, counting amongst its members Caucasian, Asian, African-American, European, gay, straight, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, Bahai, Christian and agnostic. Indeed, our community is too diverse to overlook its cultural and racial history.

The MLKNA and the LASC are looking for artists and activists who are passionate and committed to shedding light on Lexington's true racial legacy, even the unsettling parts. In specific, both organizations would like ideas for the focus group to meet the following criteria:

It is based on the lives of real people in this neighborhood, living and dead.

It engages many neighbors, reflective of Lexington's full range of diversity in many active ways.

It is both serious and fun.

It has an ongoing life in the community, and can be built on as knowledge deepens.

It builds the skills of many neighbors to carry on and expand the blend of Lexington's arts, activism, history, and expression as one way of bonding our community together in knowledge, health and mutual commitment.

If you would like more information on the scope of the focus group, how to join or how to help, please contact Jeff Howe, president of the MLKNA, by phone (254-1142) or by email (jnhowe@webtv.net); or Marty Henton of the LASC by phone (255-2284) or email (lasc6898@aol.com). -EN

The Madness Begins Again

A sneak preview of the new Wildcat Madness (remember the pretty horsies?) debuted yesterday at Victorian Square. Several of the artists were on hand to show off their handiwork to the wild for art crowd. All of the sponsored decorated wildcats will be showcased at the kickoff for the UK season (UK vs. U of L) at Nutter Field House through Labor Day. The UK Basketball Museum (Civic Center) is presently housing the unsponsored wildcats, and if you (or really, your business) would like to give one a home, go by and have a looksee (or call). After Labor Day, the cats will go to their sponsors for display, many of which are located not only in Lexington, but throughout the region. For more information, contact the Basketball Museum at 859-225-5620 or 1-800-269-1953. –PS