The More You Know

Etiquette experts seem to have reached a general concensus that re-gifting is now acceptable practice, with certain caveats. Re-gift immediately (so you don't accidentally wait and return the gift to the person who gave it to you, and will recognize it). Remove any identifying info (wrapping paper that says "for our favorite granddaughter" will tip the boss off).

And try to match the gift to someone for whom it WILL be appropriate. If someone gives you a Cuisinart and you don't cook, it's perfectly acceptable to give it to someone who might appreciate it. The karmic bottom-line is, gifts should be given and accepted with thought and love—and those who care about you want you to have a home or office full of things you enjoy—if passing along a gift meets those objectives, go ahead. And lovely leftovers in incorrect sizes can always go to charities.

What about giving to the budget-minded/fixed-income set on your holiday list? Elderly? Starving students/artists? They don't need another fruitcake or sweater, and sometimes cash can seem a little cold or gauche. There are gift cards available to solve nearly any dilemma—Kroger and Wild Oats gift cards can augment those on a tight grocery budget.

And frankly, even your rich H2-drivin’ buddies might appreciate a nice Speedway/ Shell/or Marathon card these days—you can count on nearly anyone getting misty when they say "fill 'er up" and think fond thoughts of you.

Did you see Sideways at the Kentucky and come away with a real thirst for fine wine? Here are a few vintage movie stars, in case you want to “research” the backstory. 1995 Opus One is a California Cabernet, but you'll swear it's Bordeaux (range $169-$300). 1961 Cheval Blanc is a renowned Bordeaux, composed of merlot and French cabernet franc grapes (range $895-$1,200 and unlikely to be available in sufficient volume to serve at your New Year's Eve bash). If you could find it, the perfect New Year's Eve bubbly might be the 1992 Byron Sparkling Wine from the Mondavi family (Byron doesn't do sparkling wine anymore, and this one's especially hard to snag).

Just in time for your holiday repast, the BBC has announced the results of its survey: 50 things to eat before you die. www.bbc.co.uk/food/tv_and_radio/50eats_index.shtml. (If you're just too unconventional for ham this holiday, try stuffing an apple in an alligator's mouth.) n

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Call for Nominations / Pics

Next week's issue will include the annual Year in Review photo spread.

Please submit any memorable photos from 2004 to rkirkland@aceweekly.com. Include all identifying info, and name for photo credit.

Be sure to check out page 18 for the official 5th Annual Bluegrass Bachelors nomination form.

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Letters Policy: Ace LOVES to publish our mail (250 words or less please); please include name and daytime phone. No photocopies. No bulk mail. First come, first served. We may edit for space and grammar; we will limit frequency; and, on popular issues, we may print one or two letters to represent a segment of public opinion. Private correspondence should be labeled “NOT FOR PUBLICATION.”

Mail: 486 West Second St , Lexington, Ky 40507
e-mail: editor@aceweekly.com

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Sadly, there are people living on the streets of downtown Lexington, and with the colder weather, they're in need of additional services to get through the winter. Everyone living and working downtown needs to be educated about available resources, and ideally, will pass on that info about those resources to those in need.

The DLC has published a Street Information Card filled with businesses, churches, and private facilities that are capable of offering additional help to those in need. The Street Information Card contains locations of various organization, phone numbers, and a detailed guide to what they offer (food, shelter, medical, and/or clothing) as well as hours of operations, and a map of Downtown.

The Street Information Card is free to anyone who want to distribute. Pick up at the Downtown Lexington Corporation offices, or call 859.231.7335 to have them delivered. (Made possible by the support of the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington and Minuteman Press.)

If you live in Fayette County and have UCG garbage and recycling collection you can have your tree recycled. After you strip your real, cut Christmas tree of all ornaments, hooks, lights, garland, tinsel and stands, set it on the curb on your yard waste collection day for pickup, anytime. Make sure to leave your tree between the curb and the sidewalk, or immediately behind the curb if there is no sidewalk.

Residents without UCG collection should put their trees out between December 27 and January 14 for collection. The Division of Streets, Roads, and Forestry will pick up those trees.

Info, LexCall at 859.425.2255.

Latitude On TV

Latitude will be featured on "Off Our Rockers" a cable television show about issues relevant to aging. Jessie Dunahoo and Della Mae Bullens, two active Latitude artists in their 70s will be featured on the program. Carolyn Wheeler from the the University of Kentucky's Human Development Institute (IHDI) will also provide information related to services available to elders considered to have developmental disabilities.

This show is available to cable subscribers in Fayette County. It airs on GTV3 (channel 3) at 10am Mon- Sat (December 20- 25) and at 9:30pm on Wednesday, December 22 and Saturday, December 25.

Rush Hours

W. Main St. will be blocked at Price Rd. /Leestown Rd. thru December 31 to install a water main under the sidewalk. The northbound right lane of Nicholasville Rd. will be blocked at State St. thru December 31, for utility work.

A section of Todds Rd. between Liberty Rd. and Maple Leaf Dr. will be closed to thru traffic thru December 23 for road work (important for those using it as a shortcut to the Hamburg area for last-minute shopping).

What's Closing When

Most offices of the Urban County Govern-ment will be closed for one-half day (at noon) Thursday, December 23, and Friday, December 24, for the Christmas holiday.

There will be no garbage, recycling or yard waste pickup on Friday, December 24.

Residents whose garbage, recycling, and yard waste are normally picked up on Fridays, will have their recycling, yard waste and used appliances picked up on Wednesday, December 22.

Ace Schedule

There will be no holiday interruption in Ace's weekly publication schedule. The Ace office will be closed for the holidays Friday, December 24 and Friday, December 31.

All regular deadlines (submissions for list, photos, quickies, ad insertions, classified ads, etc) will be one day early until the January 6 wedding edition. The next issue, on stands Wednesday evening, December 29 will be the annual Year in Review/ New Year's health-beauty-fitness issue.

To submit an advocacy/activism activity or event for Quickies, email rkirkland@aceweekly.com, or editor@aceweekly.com.