Mayor Greg Fischer today announced that Chewy.com, an online pet supplies retailer, is expanding in Louisville. The Florida-based company is settling into a more than 88,000-square-foot office space at 3621 Fern Valley Road.

The Chewy.com Pharmacy Customer Service Center represents a $7.2 million investment in Louisville and will create 300 jobs for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, earning an average wage of $35 an hour. The new center contributes to the city’s goal of attracting more high-wage jobs in order to boost the standard of living for our residents.

“We are excited to welcome Chewy.com to Louisville,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “Chewy.com is bringing 300 new high-tech, high-wage jobs to our city, adding to the tremendous economic momentum we are experiencing. Since 2014, the city has welcomed economic development projects totaling more than $14 billion in investments.”

Louisville Forward staff worked with Chewy.com to connect them with business services, guided them through the city’s permitting process, and identified potential incentives. The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority last year preliminarily approved $1.25 million in tax incentives for the new customer service center.

“It was a distinct pleasure working with Mayor Fischer and the Louisville Forward team on our project,” said Pete Krillies, Vice President of Corporate Real Estate and Facilities. “Their commitment, collaboration, and community-first culture completely aligned with Chewy’s core values, making our partnership a perfect match.”

Chewy.com is an e-commerce business that caters to pet owners and pet lovers. It is a one-stop shop that sells everything from toys and treats to pet medications and supplies.

The company was purchased in 2017 by PetSmart in the largest-ever e-commerce transaction. Chewy.com employs roughly 10,000 people in the United States.

Councilman Stuart Benson (District 20) encourages the people of Southeastern Jefferson County to join him at a performance of MACBETH by Kentucky Shakespeare. The performance will occur at the Broad Run Park Pavilion in the Parklands at 2pm on Sunday, May 12, 2019 and is free to everyone.

Audience members are invited to bring their own chairs, blankets, and picnics for this free, family-friendly community event.

Kentucky Shakespeare is in the middle of a production that will perform MACBETH approximately 28 times over two months as a variety of parks, schools and community meeting places.  A program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. Kentucky Shakespeare is one of 40 professional theater companies selected to participate in bringing the finest productions of Shakespeare to middle- and high-school students in communities across the United States.

Shakespeare at Broad Run Park Details:

• Date: Sunday, May 12, 2019
• Time: 2:00 p.m.
• Location: The Parklands • Broad Run Park, the Parklands, 11551 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40291
• Rain Space: Same
• Sponsor: Councilman Stuart Benson, District 20

For more information about Kentucky Shakespeare visit www.kyshakespeare.com.

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Women of all ages are invited to a free, eight-week series focusing on educating and empowering women by building knowledge and skills in multiple areas.  Starting Monday, May 6, 2019, the “Women’s Empowerment Group” will feature practical tips on weekly topics including relationships, parenting, mental and physical health, education, employment, and finances.

All sessions will take place on Mondays, 5 – 7 p.m. at 1411 Algonquin Pkwy. Dates range from May 6 through July 1 (excluding Monday, May 27).

Presented by Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place and Urban Strategies, Inc. the Women’s Empowerment Group was created by women to serve women to provide a safe, welcoming space that encourages participants to speak openly and candidly.  Children are welcome to accompany their parent or guardian with special kids programming provided by Play Cousins Collective while the women’s group is in session.  Food will also be served for all in attendance. 

“I am inspired by the words of the late, great Lena Horne “it’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it,” stated Nannettte Dix, administrator of the Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place.  “Our goal for this Women’s Empowerment Group is to enable women to gain the knowledge, skills and self-confidence necessary to carry their life loads a little differently.”

Along with Nannette Dix, other presenters include Talonda Holland, project manager with Urban Strategies, Inc.; Angela Wilson, community outreach coordinator with Family Scholar House; and Adrian Wallace, chief executive officer with Bishop and Chase. 

For more information, and to RSVP by May 3, 2019, contact Nannette Dix at 502-634-6050 or Nannette.Dix@louisvilleky.gov.  Click here to download a flyer for more details

24th Annual Gardeners’ Fair
Friday, May 10 | Saturday, May 11 | Sunday, May 12
10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Get back to Locust Grove’s roots at the Gardeners’ Fair! Over 40 vendors and demonstrators will showcase gorgeous plants and flowers, delicious herbs, hardy perennials and garden art and tools for your own green spaces. Bid on items in the Silent Auction in the Visitors’ Center, enjoy music on the grounds, and grab a bite to eat from a food truck.

Admission: $6 for adults, $3 for children ages 6–12, free for children under 6. A complete list of vendors and further information can be found here.

Elmwood Inn Mother’s Day Tea
Sunday, May 12, 1:00 pm & 3:00 pm

Celebrate spring and all mothers everywhere with this elegant and fun cream tea! This afternoon cream tea will feature scones, sandwiches, and cakes and a selection of Elmwood Inn Fine Teas.
Tea seatings will be at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. $25 per person; tea tickets include admission to the 24th Annual Gardeners’ Fair and Silent Auction. Reservations are required; call 502-897-9845.

Punch with the President: Thomas Jefferson and George Rogers Clark
Wednesday, May 22, 6:30 pm

Thomas Jefferson and George Rogers Clark were mutual supporters in military ventures and politics, as well as in the exploration of western lands. The two men, who grew up just a few miles apart in Albemarle County, Virginia, shared an interest in natural history, prehistory, and in Native American lore and language. Their correspondence over many years is a window into the conquering and development of the early American west. From excavating Mammoth bones to confiding about political intrigue, this talk by Locust Grove historian Gwynne Potts will reveal the respectful bond between two very different personalities.

Tickets: $15/$12 for Locust Grove members. Reservations required; call 502-897-9845. Admission includes one drink ticket.

Part of The Age of Hamilton series at Locust Grove.

Alexander Hamilton: Immigrant, Patriot, Visionary
Wednesday, May 29 – Friday, July 5

This exhibition from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History examines Hamilton’s central role during the Revolutionary War and Founding period in creating the economic, constitutional, social, journalistic, political, and foreign policy templates for modern America. Using reproductions from the Gilder Lehrman Collection and the Library of the New-York Historical Society, and drawing on recent scholarship about Alexander Hamilton, this traveling exhibition helps students learn that Hamilton was a statesman and visionary whose life shaped the America we live in two hundred years after his death.

On view daily: May 29 – July 5, 2019

Part of The Age of Hamilton series at Locust Grove.

For more information about these events, please contact Hannah Zimmerman, Marketing and Communications Director at marketing@locustgrove.org or call 502.897.9845 x108. 

Locust Grove is located at 561 Blankenbaker Lane (between Brownsboro Road and River Road), Louisville, KY 40207. For more information call 502.897.9845 or visit www.locustgrove.org.

Crews on The New Dixie Highway Project will begin installing medians next week between Upper Hunters Trace and Heaton Road. This means the crews are launching a critical part of the project almost a month ahead of schedule.

By installing medians, The New Dixie Highway Project will restrict mid-block left turns – and guide drivers to turn at signalized intersections or designated U-turn points.  Installing medians is both the most transformative part of The New Dixie Highway project – but also the most dangerous for workers because they will be working in the middle of the roadway with traffic on both sides.

“In the long run, medians will prevent accidents and safety is our first priority,” said John Callihan, project manager of The New Dixie Highway Project. “But in the short-term, this is a dangerous part of the construction process and we ask for extra vigilance from drivers during this phase of the project.”

Crews had been expecting to start work on medians in June, but recent favorable weather conditions meant they were able to complete sidewalk and gutter work between Upper Hunters Trace and Heaton Road ahead of schedule. They will begin median work in that same section of roadway as soon as possible, sometime during the week of May 6.

During median installation, the interior lane immediately adjacent to the work will be closed in each direction. Work will be happening in more than one location at a time. As one section is complete, work will move to a new section, meaning that drivers should stay alert as lane closures may change without notice.  

The New Dixie Highway Project broke ground in December of 2017 and all the major components will be complete by December of 2019. Some final parts of project – such as landscaping and final surfacing – require warm weather and will be completed in the summer of 2020.

Medians will be “non-mountable” so passenger vehicles cannot drive over them. Widths will vary with available space, with landscaping at key locations. While it may seem counter-intuitive to drivers, restricting mid-block left-turns creates not only a safer corridor, but a more efficient corridor. While some drivers will have to drive slightly further to reach their destination, the improved efficiency and reduction in accident-related congestion will mean a better traffic flow for everyone.

About the New Dixie Highway Project

The New Dixie Highway Project is a $35 million investment to improve safety, mobility and livability along the corridor.  The project will concentrate on three major areas of improvement:

• Roadway safety and design improvements, including raised medians and left-hand-only turn lanes along the most congested and dangerous section (Crums Lane to Greenwood Road).
• A new Intelligent Transportation System that will improve and coordinate traffic signal timing along the entire corridor.
• The region’s first TARC bus rapid transit route, with eight priority buses and 37 highly visible bus stations and stops that will improve travel times for both transit riders and drivers.

Mayor Greg Fischer and Ocala (Fla.) Mayor Kent Guinn today made their annual wager on the Kentucky Derby, placing a bottle of Woodford Reserve bourbon and Ocala brandy on the line.

This is the sixth year of the friendly wager between the mayors of the two cities, both of which are steeped in thoroughbred tradition and consider themselves spirited rivals for the status of Horse Capital of the World.  

Mayor Fischer this year picked Improbable, breaking from post position 5, to win the 145th Kentucky Derby and make the time-honored walk to the infield Winner’s Circle for the garland of roses. Improbable was bred in Kentucky, is trained by Bob Baffert and will be ridden by Irad Ortiz.

“Improbable is one of the Baffert trio of horses, which is what makes it interesting to me, and is the same owner/trainer combination as last year’s Triple Crown winner. As a bonus, Improbable has won at Churchill Downs, and as we all know, a win at Churchill helps in the Derby,” Mayor Fischer said.

Mayor Guinn chose Win Win Win, breaking from post position 14, because he’s a Florida-bred thoroughbred raised in Ocala at Live Oak Stud. Win Win Win is owned by Ms. Charlotte Weber, trained by Michael Trombetta and will be ridden by Julian Pimentel.

Mayor Guinn noted that it will be an “Ocala Derby,” with the honoring of J.B. McKathan, an iconic member of the Florida horse racing family and trainer of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. McKathan tragically passed away Feb. 2, 2019.

Last year, Mayor Fischer’s choice, Mendelssohn, trained by Aidan O’Brien, finished 20th, and Mayor Guinn’s pick, Magnum Moon, finished 19th.

“The road to the Kentucky Derby begins in Ocala, Fla., Horse Capital of the World. This year is no different with 17 of the 20 horses having ties to our city,” Mayor Guinn said. “This annual bet with Mayor Fischer has become a tradition I look forward to, and it’s a fun way for us to unite the equine industry. We hope this will finally be the year that one of our horses is victorious!”

Mayor Fischer bet a bottle of Louisville-based Brown-Forman Corp.’s Woodford Reserve signed by Master Distiller Chris Morris and artist Keith Anderson. Woodford Reservice is the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby. Mayor Guinn again bet Marion Black 106 — the Spirit of Florida Tangerine Brandy, distilled by Fishhawk Spirits of Ocala.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming Mayor Guinn and his return to Louisville for the Derby,” Mayor Fischer said. “No matter which horse you pick, you always win with a trip to the Derby and experiencing all that Louisville has to offer.”

For more than 20 years, he was known as the man who knew just about any or everything when it came to the Kentucky Derby and thoroughbred racing. He was an ambassador for the Historic Churchill Downs Racetrack and one of the friendliest people you would ever meet.

          On Monday, a section of Central Avenue, in front of the place where he loved to work, was honorarily named “John S. Asher Way” for the late Vice President of Racing Communications who passed away in August of 2018.

          “John Asher was a stranger to no one and if you had a question about the history of the Kentucky Derby, he had the answer,” said Councilman Kevin Triplett (D-15). “It is fitting that during this week we honor him, and my hope is these signs will remind everyone who comes to Churchill Downs about a man who was just as important to racing as any trainer, jockey or owner.”

“John’s Churchill Downs’ family misses him dearly on a daily basis, and even more so during Kentucky Derby Week – his favorite time of the year,” said Kevin Flanery, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack. “John was an icon in horse racing and our community. To have a stretch of Central Avenue named ‘John S. Asher Way’ adjacent to his beloved Churchill Downs and the iconic Twin Spires is an incredible honor and a fitting tribute to a great man.”

“John Asher represented Churchill Downs, the Derby and Oaks, Louisville and Kentucky to the entire world with intelligence, charm, enthusiasm and compassion,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “This is a fitting tribute to this wonderful man who was a racing legend and community leader.”        Councilman Triplett sponsored the Resolution calling for the honorary street signs. On Thursday, April 25th, The Louisville Metro Council gave unanimous approval to placing of the signs along Central Avenue to be known as “John S. Asher Way” at the intersections of Fourth Street, Ninth Street and Taylor Boulevard.

Churchill Downs paid for a fourth sign that was presented to John’s wife, Dee Asher at an unveiling ceremony held Monday at the new Infield Gate to the track.

 Asher was born in Leitchfield, Kentucky in 1955. He graduated with a degree in Journalism from Western Kentucky University. Asher was an award-winning radio journalist at WHAS -AM and WAVE -AM. As a broadcaster, it was horse racing where he showed his greatest talents and skills in communication as a five-time Eclipse Award Winner for Outstanding National Radio Coverage of Thoroughbred Racing.

He joined Churchill Downs in 1997 and then became Vice President of Racing Communications at Churchill Downs in 1999. He was well known and loved around Louisville and the United States for his unbelievable knowledge of the History of the Kentucky Derby and horse racing in general.