A Holiday Wish

Wouldn't a Dean and Deluca look great in the old Cosmo's space? It's no secret Lexington is filled with just the right amount of pretension and bucks to appreciate one - and highway robbery just, somehow, seems a little more palatable when it's meted out by people who (at least) know what they're doing. Sure, everybody hates a chain - but at least it isn't Starbucks, and this niche for the bohemian bourgeoisie has gone unfilled for far too long.

From Prison With Love

Have a loved one upstate but too far away for a Christmas conjugal visit? Well, 88.7 WMMT-FM (Appalshop) is looking to break the bars of incarcerated affection and allow you to spend a part of the holiday with your prisoner of love.

The community-run radio station will air a special program on December 18th from 7-10pm allowing the incarcerated in Central Appalachia to offer yuletide greetings to those they love on the outside. Hosted by station DJs, including Chic-N-Man and the Potted Meat Girls, the show will feature prisoners from six correctional centers in two states. Last year's program was highlighted by various "shout outs" to the emancipated and a full complement of jailhouse rock as the incarcerated sang Christmas carols. The station received calls from children, parents and siblings offering season's greetings to cellmates.

The program, sponsored by Appalshop, can be heard worldwide in real time by logging on to www.appalshop.org/wmmt. For info, (606) 633-0108. -Danny Tenkman

May I Have the Envelope Please

The Downtown Lexington Corporation handed out their Annual Awards of Excellence on Thursday, December 6th. Awards were presented to twelve businesses, organizations and individuals dedicated to bringing delight downtown.

Twelve winners were named in five categories celebrating innovation, partnership and achievement in Lexington's municipal area. Natasha's was awarded for relocating from the 'burbs and offering an eclectic taste to downtown. The Outstanding Individual Award was given to Father Dan Noll of St. Paul's and St. Peter's for his leadership among downtown Roman Catholic parishes and his dedication to our city. And the infamous Smiley Pete award went to downtown favorite Jim Sawyer.

The awards were held at the Radisson Plaza Hotel and were attended by a crowd of over 150.

-Danny Tenkman

Plan? You mean there's a Plan?

The planning commission is set to unveil Lexington's five-year plan Thursday, December 13. Will it solve any problems? Will it address the need for appropriate urban infill? Historic preservation? Cancerous sprawl? Stay tuned.