President David James (D-6) will join the congregation of First Gethsemane Baptist Church this Sunday, May 19th for a special event in honor of the late Rev. T. Vaughn Walker.

The Church will officially rename its Center for Family Development Building, the Dr. T. Vaughn Walker, Center for Family Development, in his honor during an official ribbon cutting which will begin at 12:00pm.

“Pastor Walker was a great inspiration to not only his church but the people of the community,” says James. “I am honored to join his family and friends in paying tribute to a man whose quiet nature and determination touched the lives of many and now his presence will be a reminder to all on how we should treat everyone who seeks help and guidance.”

“Dr. T. Vaughn Walker served as a Champion for the underserved in this community. As an educator, he was committed to leveling the playing field by providing opportunities that would open the doors to a better future for low income families. His humanitarian legacy will forever be engraved in the hearts and minds of those who have and will benefit from the numerous programs/activities offered at the Dr. T. Vaughn Walker Center for Family Development,” says Rev. Keith A. Bush, Sr., Interim Pastor. “As a church, we deem it an honor to rename our center after the man who birthed this vision.”         

Pastor Walker came to First Gethsemane Baptist Church in 1984.

During his tenure at First Gethsemane, he had a major impact on the community and future ministers. He also held the community’s needs as a high priority, especially the needs of children.  Under his leadership, the church not only grew its membership but its outreach in the Louisville area as well.

In January of this year, Dr. Walker went on to the place he preached to so many thousands about and met the heavenly father he so loved.

The Church will officially dedicate the Dr. T. Vaughn Walker, Center for Family Development Building at 1221 First Gethsemane Avenue.

Created in 1996, the mission of the Center for Family Development is to “reduce the barriers of success” by providing quality facilities, services, and programs to individuals and families in our communities through economic empowerment, and educational, social, and recreational activities. The CFD serves the overwhelming needs of the surrounding communities, which include Arcadia, Park Hill, Iroquois, Algonquin, and Old Louisville.

There are few places in Metro Louisville where you will find scenic beauty and hear great Bluegrass Music. In the springtime, the best place to find both is at the Jefferson Memorial Forest.

 On Saturday, May 18th Council members Mark Fox (D-13) and Cindi Fowler (D-14) proudly present the 15th Annual Forest Fest.

 “District 13 is proud to host this one of a kind event in the largest municipal forest in the United States, our own Jefferson Memorial Forest,” says Fox.  “I encourage everyone to come out and join us for this unique music festival while enjoying the spectacular views.”

The 15th Annual Forest Fest will feature: Michael Cleveland, Becky Buller, Amythyst Kiah, Relic, Grizzly Goat and Ida Clare

“This a great opportunity for families to come out to the beautiful JMF setting and enjoy the talented artist’s line up in store for the day!” says Fowler.

While Bluegrass Music is the main attraction of Forest Fest, it is also an opportunity to take a walk around the forest and see fine arts and crafts, food and other refreshments presented by vendors.

Forest Fest Band Schedule

• 11:00 a.m. Ida Clare                       
• 12:05 p.m. Grizzly Goat                          
• 1:15 p.m. Relic                       
• 2:30 p.m. Amythyst Kiah       
• 4:00 p.m. Becky Buller
• 5:30 p.m. Michael Cleveland  

Forest Fest Schedule of Activities

• 10:30 a.m.             Booths open to the public; food areas open; Forest Nature booth opens for children
• 11:00 a.m.             Music begins; Children’s activities begin (until 5 p.m.)
• 12:15-12:45 p.m. Band Workshop: Relic
• 1:00-1:45 p.m.      Band Workshop: Ida Clare
• 2:00-5:00 p.m.      Drum Circles with Jocorey Arthur
• 2:35 -3:00 p.m.     Band Workshop: Grizzly Goat
• 3:00-3:30 p.m.      Band Workshop: Becky Buller
• 3:45-4:15             Band Workshop: Michael Cleveland
• 7 p.m.                            Forest Fest concludes

The Jefferson Memorial Forest staff will have nature presentations and information about educational programs and a children’s area.  If you like, you can check out the trails and all the beauty the forest has to offer.

The 15th Annual Forest Fest is made possible through the financial support of Council members Fox and Fowler whose districts represent the Jefferson Memorial Forest.

Joining them as co-sponsors this year: as well as assistance from Councilpersons Rick Blackwell (D-12), Kevin Triplett (D-15), James Peden (R-23), Barbara Shanklin (D-2), Markus Winkler (D-17), Nicole George (D-21), Brandon Coan (D-8), and David Yates (D-25)

Also sponsoring the event are: West Sixth, WFPK Radio Louisville, Central Bank, and LeafFilter.

The concert is free, but parking is $10 per car.  Bring a blanket or a folding chair as well as picnic food, but no alcoholic beverages are allowed to be brought in but they can be purchased on site.

“Great Bluegrass Music, beautiful scenery, and plenty of activities for everyone, what a great way to spend the day,” says Fox.

To find out more about the 15th Annual Forest Fest, contact the Jefferson Memorial Forest at 368-6856. To learn more about the Jefferson Memorial Forest and all the upcoming programs available to the public go to: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/jefferson-memorial-forest/forest-fest.

Mayor Greg Fischer today joined community partners for two arts announcements: the awarding of a $75,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and the completion of the “Love in the Street” public art installation.

“Today, we are excited to celebrate the completion of a public art project, Love in the Street, and a grant award that will support more public art in Louisville through the generous support of the National Endowment for the Arts. Public art plays an important role in the vibrancy of a city. It is art and artists that encourage us to reflect on and continue a dialogue about our culture and who we want to be as a city,” said Mayor Greg Fischer.

National Endowment for the Arts grant

With the grant funds, Louisville Metro Government’s Office of Advanced Planning and Fund for the Arts will collaborate with the Transit Authority of River City (TARC), the Center for Neighborhoods, Louisville Public Media, and other local organizations and artists to infuse community-based arts experiences into the TARC public bus system and primary service locations.

The project, called New Routes for Arts Access and Engagement, includes enhancing TARC buses with artworks, activating public spaces along primary TARC routes through pop-up arts events, and creating neighborhood art installations.

“We’re extremely grateful to work alongside Louisville Metro Government, Center for Neighborhoods, Louisville Public Media, and TARC to fuel this creative, vibrant community we love with arts and culture experiences,” said Christen Boone, President and CEO of Fund for the Arts. “Thanks to these unique partnerships and the NEA’s support, we’re able to provide access to the arts through innovative and creative means.”

The funding award is part of the NEA’s Our Town program, which funds projects that integrate arts, culture, and design activities to strengthen communities by advancing local economic, physical, and/or social outcomes. The National Endowment for the Arts announced the awarding of 57 grants, totaling $4.1 million, as part of the program.

“These awards made to organizations across the United States are a testament to the artistic richness and diversity in our country,” said Mary Anne Carter, acting chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. “Organizations such as Louisville Metro Government and Fund for the Arts are giving people in their community the opportunity to learn, create, and be inspired.”

“Love in the Street” public art installation

“Love in the Street” is a public art project that features 21 original poems with the theme of love and admiration for the city of Louisville that were etched into the sidewalk along South Fourth Street, between Chestnut Street and Broadway.

The streetscape project was proposed by local poet Lance Newman and commissioned by Louisville Metro Government and the Commission on Public Art. It has been in development since 2017.

“Love in the Street” features poets from neighborhoods city-wide, ranging in age from 3 to 80, and includes published writers as well as aspiring artists.

The following poets’ work is featured as part of “Love in the Street:”

• Andy Aliaga-Mendoza
• Mackenzie Berry
• Dominique Brown
• Lashell Carter
• Charmae Cuff
• Christopher deRome
• Ann V. DeVilbiss
• Robin Garner
• Juliana Hermann
• Virginia Johnson
• Matthew Thomas Keith
• Sharon P.S. Marx
• Andy McLeroy
• Alazhia Mobley
• Lance Newman
• Lucy Plappert
• Samantha Plappert
• Rukya Sayidali
• Rachel Spivey
• Dan Trabue
• Shane Wood

Dr. Sarah Moyer, director of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health & Wellness (LMPHW) and the city’s Chief Health Strategist, was recognized today by the de Beaumont Foundationas one of its inaugural 40 Under 40 in Public Health. The 40 rising stars of public health were chosen by a panel of judges for their fresh perspectives, creative problem-solving, and innovative health solutions in communities across the country.

“We launched 40 Under 40 to humanize the public health field and show the diversity of the individuals who commit to strengthening the health of our nation’s communities,” said Brian C. Castrucci, DrPH, president and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation. “Public health is different from healthcare, and by elevating the work and voices of these inspiring leaders, we hope to attract and motivate other professionals to bring creativity and innovation to the future of public health.”

Nominations for 40 Under 40 in Public Health were submitted between November 2018 and February 2019. The nomination pool included job titles ranges from health commissioner and director of health equity to doula and epidemiologist. Each chosen honoree has made significant contributions to their community and the field of public health in their respective areas.

“I am incredibly honored,” said Dr. Moyer. “I accept this award on behalf of our 200 LMPHW employees who work day in and day out to help us achieve our vision of creating a healthy Louisville where everyone and every community thrives.”

“Dr. Moyer is a bold, innovative leader and problem solver,” said Mayor Greg Fisher. “Under her leadership we’ve adopted a health-in-all-policies approach for all of Louisville Metro Government, provided racial healing training to hundreds of employees, launched a syringe exchange program that provides harm reduction services to 19,000 participants, and implemented ‘Hope, Healing and Recovery’, our citywide plan to address substance use disorder. She is truly our city’s Health Strategist.”

Dr. Moyer also holds a faculty position at the University of Louisville School of Public Health and Information Sciences.

“Under Dr. Moyer’s leadership, our collaboration with the health department is stronger than it’s ever been,” said Dr. Craig Blakely, dean. “We work together on research and grant opportunities, but most importantly, we work together to give public health students relevant, practical skills that help them become our future public health professionals.This award for Dr. Moyer is well-deserved.”

Nominees were evaluated by a distinguished panel of professionals from the nonprofit, business, and higher education sectors on their demonstrated leadership, their contributions to their community’s health, and their collaboration with other organizations in public health and other sectors.

For more information about 40 Under 40 in Public Health, including detailed eligibility and selection criteria, visit debeaumont.org/40Under40.

Louisville Metro Government, through the Office of Advanced Planning, has begun the process of creating a neighborhood plan for the Bowman Field area.

This plan aims to address the planning needs and policy goals of this diverse community, offering a “roadmap” for future growth and sustainability. The Bowman Area Neighborhoods Plan includes the Seneca Vista, Bowman, Park Hills, Hawthorne, and Big Spring Gardens neighborhoods, as well as the cities of Kingsley, Seneca Gardens, Strathmoor Village, and Wellington.

Rundell Ernstberger Associates, a local landscape architecture, planning, and urban design firm, has been retained to provide facilitation and technical guidance in this process.

This plan is expected to address multiple topics, including but not limited to:

• The influence of Bowman Field on the area;
• Taylorsville Road and other significant corridors, including Cannons Lane and Dutchmans Lane;
• Challenges presented by proximity to I-64 and the Watterson Expressway, including noise and traffic;
• Zoning and form districts, and
• Access and relationship of the area to Seneca Park and Cherokee Park.

As part of this planning process, the planning team will host a three-day community workshop with several opportunities to provide input. All events will be held at the historic Bowman Field Administration Building, located at 2817 Taylorsville Road.

• Open House – Tuesday, May 14, 6-8 p.m.
  • The open house will include interactive workstations to capture the community’s vision for the future of the area. The public is invited to stop by any time between 6 and 8 p.m. Community input is used to help formulate preliminary planning recommendations.
• Open Office Hours – Wednesday, May 15, 1:30-5 p.m.
  • The open office hours are an additional opportunity for community members to share their input directly with the planning team.
• Public Presentation – Thursday, May 16, 6-7:30 p.m.
  • The planning team will present preliminary recommendations for the plan and gather additional community input immediately following the presentation.

For more information on the project, please visit www.bowmanareaplan.com.

Councilman Brandon Coan (D-8) is encouraging the community to come out and discuss partnership opportunities between Louisville Metro Government and Jefferson County Public Schools to enhance neighborhoods and the schools that anchor them.

          “Bringing our city government and school systems closer together and sharing resources is vital to a healthy and vibrant community.” says Coan.

          The JCPS / Louisville Metro Government Town & Gown-Hall Meeting is set for Monday, May 13th between, 6:00 PM-7:15 PM at Atherton High School, 3000 Dundee Road.

          Participating in the discussion along with Councilman Coan are JCPS Board Member Dr. Chris Kolb, Atherton High Principal Tom Aberli and Upper Highlands Neighborhood Association President Honi Goldman.

          This is the third in a series of Town and Gown-Hall Meetings Councilman Coan will hold at schools around District 8.

          For more information, contact Councilman Coan’s Office at 574-1108.

Councilman Kevin Triplett (D-15) is praising Solid Waste Management Services Enforcement Officers for their persistence in impounding a fourth vehicle that was involved in two separate acts of illegal dumping.

The first was in the 3600 block of Parthenia Avenue, then the second was in 4100 block of Craig Avenue.

“These Officers deserve our thanks as a community for not giving up when it comes to catching illegal dumpers,” says Triplett. “We, on the Metro Council, continue to send a very strong message that if you decided to illegally dump in our neighborhoods, it will be costly when we catch you.”

According to SWMS, officers where looking for a truck that was witnessed on surveillance cameras being used to dump tree debris in the 3600 block of Parthenia Ave. back in February of this year. SWMS Enforcement was unable to locate the owner of the truck at that time.

Last month, SWMS Enforcement Officers were investigating a separate illegal dumping case in the 4100 block of Craig Ave. During that investigation, it was learned the citizen they were investigating for dumping on Craig Ave. paid someone to haul off and dispose of the material.

Officers received information on the individual, and it turned out to be the same person they were looking for that dumped on Parthenia in February.  

According to SWMS, in total, the illegal dumper will owe $1,500 and approximately $250 impound fees.