With less than 60 days until the festival opens it doors at 11 AM on Friday, September 20, Bourbon and Beyond aims to please attendees with incredible food, bourbon and music. With the new location, excessive rain will not be an issue this year.

Tickets are still available for purchase as well as many of the VIP options and Thursday night Dinner options with celebrity chefs. Tickets and pricing can be found on the Bourbon and Beyond website.

Saturday, September 14th is the start of three week period where the Kentucky Exposition Center will be flooded with attendees looking for good food, delicious bourbons, and excellent music for entertainment (however, people watching at festivals such as this can often be viewed as entertainment as well).

The lineup for the newest music and bourbon festival has been set and tickets are still available. Tickets should be purchased before attending the show since there are a finite number of tickets.

Be sure to check the website before going to see what items are allowed into the venue and what must be left at home. There will be locker rentals available with cell phone charging stations at the Exposition Center.

Louisville Metro Animal Services asks pets owners to take precautions in preparation for the extreme heat forecast for this weekend. Exposure to hot temperatures can cause heatstroke in pets, and even death.  Pet owners can follow these tips to keep their four-legged companions safe in hot weather:

Stay Inside and Limit outdoor time  It’s best to keep pets inside with the air conditioner set to a comfortable temperature. Outdoor time should be limited to prevent heat-related injuries.

Shade and water If a pet must be kept outdoors, make sure they access to fresh, cool water and a shady area away from the sun. Dog houses are not always adequate because they can block air flow. Hanging a tarp between two trees is a better option because it does not block air flow. A haircut can also help your pet cool off in excessive heat. Some dogs have an undercoat which keeps them cool, so check with your Veterinarian or groomer first.

Do not leave pets alone in a parked vehicle The temperature inside the vehicle can reach triple digits in a matter of minutes, even if the windows are left cracked and could result in heatstroke or death. Do not leave a pet in a vehicle parked in the shade because shade moves with the sun. Call 911 immediately to report a pet left alone in a hot vehicle.

Avoid walking dogs in hot weather Do not walk your dog during the hottest part of the day. Take shorter walks in the mornings or evenings to prevent a pet from overheating. Try to avoid pavement, asphalt and sidewalks which could burn your dog’s paws. If you place your hand on the sidewalk for 15 seconds and it’s too hot for you, then it’s too hot for your pet.

Know the signs of Heatstroke Heatstroke can be fatal so it’s important to know the symptoms in pets. Signs include heavy panting or difficulty breathing, glazed eyes, rapid heartbeat, lethargy, drooling, vomiting, excessive thirst and seizures. Get to a veterinarian immediately if a pet displays these symptoms. Visit the ASPCA’s website for more hot weather safety tips for pets.

To report an animal within Jefferson County with no protection from the heat or access to fresh water, contact LMAS animal control at 473-PETS.  

Contact 911 immediately to report an animal left alone inside a vehicle.  

Mayor Greg Fischer joined the Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Louisville Parks and Recreation, President District 6 Councilman David James and Friends of Victory Park to celebrate the completion of the $1.1 Million Revitalization project. The event will take place at Victory Park at 11 a.m.

Victory Park, a four-acre park located at 1051 S 23rd Street, is the site of a $1.1 million revitalization project started in 2017. Thanks to donor support, Olmsted Parks Conservancy and Louisville Parks and Recreation worked closely with the community to create and execute a Master Plan for Victory Park to better serve its residents. The project was divided into two phases:

• Phase one (completed in Spring 2018) relocated the basketball court to the northwest side of the park, creating a larger open area for activities; installed a new walking path (more than a quarter mile in length) and added lighting, benches and 35 trees to the park.
• Phase two, a $640,000 additional park investment, began in Fall 2018 and was completed in July 2019. This included construction of a new playground and sprayground, addition to the lodge to allow a covered picnic area, renovated lodge kitchen, and additional tree planting.

“The Olmsted Parks Conservancy and its donors and partners have made a wise investment in west Louisville and the city as a whole with this transformational project in Victory Park,” Mayor Greg Fischer said. “I hope it creates a renewed sense of pride in this beautiful Olmsted-designed park, and look forward to see the lodge, the playground and sprayground brimming with activity this summer and in the future.”

“I’m excited to see the work and energy put forward by the community transformed from a vision to reality here at Victory Park,” said David James, District 6 Councilman. “I’m very thankful to Olmsted Parks Conservancy for their efforts and dedication to Victory Park and the California Neighborhood.”

“We are thrilled to continue our investment in Victory Park, one of the Olmsted Park jewels in our community,” expressed Layla George, President of Olmsted Parks Conservancy. “We are grateful for the support from J. Graham Brown Foundation, Kosair Charities, Brown Forman, and GE Appliances who helped fund the new playground, spray ground and renovated kitchen in the lodge. The Friends of Victory Park group has worked tirelessly alongside our staff to care for and program this park. Victory Park looks better than ever and it’s because of the people who live here.”

The project was made possible with support from donors to Olmsted Parks Conservancy’s Campaign for Extraordinary Parks (including Humana Foundation, James Graham Brown Foundation, Kosair Charities and PNC Foundation), Brown Forman Foundation, GE Appliances, Louisville Parks and Recreation, City of Louisville, Mayor Greg Fischer and Councilman David James.

In anticipation of a weekend of extreme heat, Louisville Metro Government is urging residents to take steps to ensure they are prepared to stay safe, cool and hydrated.

“The weather this weekend looks to be brutal, but there are steps we can all take to ensure we’re safe,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “So be smart. If you don’t have air conditioning, remember that spray-pads at our city’s parks, libraries, and shopping malls are all great places to stay cool and beat the heat. And please, check on your neighbors, especially the elderly.”

Emergency Services and Public Health officials also offer these tips for staying safe in the extreme heat:

• Prepare NOW
  • Find places in your community where you can go to get cool.
  • Keep your home cool by doing the following:
    • Cover windows with drapes or shades.
    • Weather-strip doors and windows.
    • Use window reflectors, such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, to reflect heat back outside.
    • Install window air conditioners and insulate around them.
  • Learn to recognize the signs of heat-related illness (heat cramps, excessive sweating, weakness, dizzines, headache, nausea or vomiting and fainting).
• Be Safe DURING
  • Never leave a child, adult, or animal alone inside a vehicle on a warm day.
  • Find places with air conditioning or cool conditions. Libraries, spray-pads, shopping malls, and community centers can provide a cool place to take a break from the heat.
  • If you’re outside, find shade. Wear a hat wide enough to protect your face.
  • Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
  • Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. If you or someone you care for is on a special diet, ask a doctor how best to accommodate it.
  • Do not use electric fans when the temperature outside is more than 95 degrees, as this could increase the risk of heat-related illness. Fans create air flow and a false sense of comfort, but do not reduce body temperature.
  • Avoid high-energy activities.

Among all weather-related hazards, extreme heat historically results in the highest number of annual deaths. Extreme heat is defined as a long period (2 to 3 days) of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees. In extreme heat, the body must work extra hard to maintain a normal temperature. This can lead to death by overworking the human body.

Metro Councilman Stuart Benson (District 20) encourages everyone to come out this week for Friday at Floyds. The event which is presented by the Parklands includes a FREE outdoor concert by Hot Brown Smackdown and is open to the entire family, including your four-legged friends.

In addition to live music, there are kid’s activities, food trucks and drinks for purchase. Activities begin at 5 p.m. Working with the Louisville Zoo in celebration of their 50th Anniversary, Councilman Benson in conjunction with the Louisville Zoo is proud to bring a pop-up zoo to Beckley Creek Park.  Games, the new Louisville Zoo mascots and opportunities enter to win Zoo ticket packs will be available to those attending. The Pop-Up-Zoo will be open from 5-7pm and will operate during the Parklands Friday at Floyd festivities.

For more information on Friday at Floyds please visit https://www.theparklands.org/Events/4615/Friday-at-Floyds. For more information on the Louisville Pop-Up-Zoo please visit https://louisvillezoo.org/50years/popup/.

Councilman Bill Hollander is inviting District 9 residents to come out to the next “Meet with Bill” on Tuesday, July 23, 2019.      

“We are always happy to hear from constituents.  To make those meetings more convenient, we hold office hours at various places around the district in addition to our regular, evening D9 Community Conversations,” says Hollander.

“Meet with Bill” is set for the St. Matthews Library, 3940 Grandview Avenue from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

“Please stop by with any questions or concerns. It is an informal way of telling me what’s on your mind,” says Hollander.

For more information about “Meet with Bill” or any other issue in the district, call 574-1109 or email kyle.ethridge@louisvilleky.gov