Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing is excited to announce that the detached kitchen behind the historic Farnsley-Moremen House is getting some much-needed maintenance this summer thanks to HistoriCorps. Headquartered in Denver, CO, HistoriCorps engages volunteers from all over the country to save and sustain historic resources for the public’s benefit. Expert historic preservation staff will oversee volunteers who will replace the roof on the detached kitchen and perform other needed repairs between July 15 – July 26. Volunteers and HistoriCorps staff will camp onsite at Riverside for the duration of the project.

“We welcome every opportunity to work with stewards of special places accessible to the general public,” said Towny Anderson, CEO/Executive Director of HistoriCorps.  “We are especially pleased to be invited to work on the Riverside Kitchen at the Farnsley-Moremen Landing because it aligns so well with our mission:  to save and sustain historic places for public benefit through partnerships that foster community involvement, volunteer engagement, and public education and training.  This is our third visit to KY.  Our volunteers are our heart and soul, and based upon the response to our KY projects, I think they would like to come every year!”

Riverside’s Board Chair Reba Doutrick said, “We are thrilled to be able to take good care of the detached kitchen at Riverside. It’s an important part of the historic interpretation of the site. This project aligns with so much of what we do at Riverside; it involves public education, historic preservation, and working with volunteers!”

“Riverside is a true treasure in this community, and we’re so thankful that HistoriCorps has stepped up with this project, which will ensure that the kitchen can be enjoyed for generations to come,” Parks and Recreation Director Dana Kasler said. “We really appreciate the work HistoriCorps is doing!”

Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing exists to promote, preserve, restore and interpret historic farm life on the Ohio River. Riverside is located at 7410 Moorman Road, Louisville, KY  40272.

Riverside is one of the City of Louisville’s historic park properties and it is managed in partnership with a nonprofit organization called Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing, Inc.

Metro Council members Stuart Benson (District 20), Robin Engel  (District 22) and Kevin Kramer (District 11) as well as representatives from the Louisville Metro Parks Department will break ground on a major renovation and relocation project at Charlie Vettiner Park. The project will invest more than $800,000 into the construction of new parking facilities as well as the relocation of four tennis courts and the installation of two new pickleball courts.

Groundbreaking of Tennis and Pickleball Courts as well as new Parking at Charlie Vettiner Park in Southeastern Louisville Metro takes place Tuesday, July 16, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.

Neighborhood Place and numerous community partners will offer eight back to school events in late July and early August 2019.  These events will provide free school supplies while supplies last as well as a wide range of services and resources to help local youth and families be better prepared for the start of school year.

The bulk of the supplies and funding for these events comes from area businesses, churches, schools and individual donors.  To learn more about specific activities, eligibility and other requirements, please refer to list below:

July 20, Back to School Festival at Westport Middle School, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 8100 Westport Rd.  For more information call 574-8147.  This event is open to families with children in kindergarten through high school.  Free backpacks with essential school supplies will be distributed while supplies last. Presenters and vendors will be at the event to provide information to families plus mascots and other fun for kids.  The JCPS Lunch Bus will provide lunch for kids present and Sparkle and Shine Family Dental will provide dental screenings.  Families may complete a CAP referral during the event as well for clothing and uniform assistance. Sponsored by Charmoli Center Neighborhood Place, area JCPS schools, and Eastern Area Community Ministry.

July 25, Back to School Festival at Valley High School, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 10200 Dixie Highway.  For more information call 363-1483. This annual event is open to families with children in kindergarten through high school.  School supplies and backpacks will be provided while supplies last to families that participate in three, ten-minute “mini-trainings”. Over twenty presenters and more than forty vendors will be at the event plus mascots and lots of hands on fun to help everyone “Unlock Your Superhero Powers”.  Sponsored by South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, Cane Run Neighborhood Place, 22 area JCPS Family Resource and Youth Services Centers, Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services, South Jefferson Community Partnership, Drug-Free Communities Grant, Kidz Club, Kosair Charities, and Fairdale Christian Church.

Aug. 1, Back to School Festival at the Academy at Shawnee, 1 – 4 p.m.
Located at 4018 West Market St. For more information call 485-7230.  This annual event is open to families with children in kindergarten through high school.  Free backpacks and essential grade-appropriate school supplies will be provided while supplies last.  Over twenty vendors will be at this event providing essential health, education, and community resources.  JCPS Family Resource and Youth Services Centers Coordinators will complete CAP referrals for families needing clothing and uniform assistance. Free lunches will be served to kids by JCPS Nutrition Services. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  Dare to Care will be onsite to provide food provisions to households.  This event is sponsored in collaboration with the NorthWest Neighborhood Place Collaborative and Community Council, The Academy at Shawnee Youth Service Center, JCPS – Shawnee Satellite Office, Greenwood Elementary Family Resource Center and Crosby Middle Youth Service Center.

Aug. 2, Back to School Festival at Cochran Elementary School, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Located at 500 W. Gaulbert Ave. For more information call 634-6057.  This annual event is open to families with children in kindergarten through high school.  Free backpacks and essential grade-appropriate school supplies will be provided while supplies last.  Vendors will be at this event providing essential health, education, and employment and community resources.  JCPS Family Youth Resource Center coordinators will complete CAP referrals for families needing clothing and uniform assistance. Free lunches will be served to kids by JCPS Nutrition Services. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  This event is sponsored in collaboration with Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place, Jefferson County Public Schools and Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services.

Aug. 3, Back to School Festival at Olmsted Academy North, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. 
Located at 4530 Bellevue Ave. Call 313-4514 for more information. Open to all students in grades kindergarten through high school. Free backpacks, school supplies and health and hygiene products will be provided while supplies last. Children must be present to receive school supplies. Educational and community resources will be available to help offer a strong start to the new school year. The festival will also include vision and hearing screenings, blood pressure and diabetes checks, clothing assistance referrals and more. Lunch will be provided for children and adults. Sponsored by South Central Neighborhood Place, Diamond Cluster MC, 10 area JCPS Family Resource and Youth Service Centers, Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services, and Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital. 

Aug. 3, Back to School Event at Meyzeek Middle School, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. 
Located at 828 S. Jackson St.  Call 313-4503 for more information. Open to students kindergarten through high school.  Free backpacks with essential school supplies for the coming year will be distributed while supplies last.  Children must be present to receive school supplies.  Smile Academy will provide free dental screenings.   Many other local community venders and agencies will be in the gym to provide information for families.  Families may complete a CAP referral during the event as well for clothing and uniform assistance.  Sponsored by Charmoli Center Neighborhood Place, Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services and area JCPS schools.

Aug. 8, Back to School Fun Resource Fair at Southwick Community Center, 4 – 7 p.m.
Located at 3621 Southern Ave.  Call 313-4635 for more information.  The annual event is open to families with children in kindergarten through high school. JCPS Family Resource and Youth Resource Centers Coordinators will complete CAP referrals for families needing clothing and uniform assistance.  School supplies will be distributed (while supplies last). Several vendors will be available to provide essential health, education, and community resources.  Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. JCPS Nutrition Services will provide lunch to youth 18 and under. This event is sponsored in part by Ujima Neighborhood Place, Jefferson County Public Schools/The Carter/DuValle Education Center, Kennedy Montessori/Brandies, Youth Service Centers, Southwick Community Center, Villages of Park DuValle and Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services.

Aug 10, Back to School Festival at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Located at 1501 Rangeland Rd.  Call 313-4498 or 313-4700 for more information. This annual event is open to families with children in kindergarten through high school. Free backpacks and grade-appropriate school supplies (while supplies last) will be provided. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  Free lunches will be served to kids by JCPS Nutrition Services and families may complete a CAP referral during the event as well for clothing and uniform assistance. A Community Resource Fair will include over twenty presenters including diabetes and blood pressure checks, the YMCA program, voter registration, library services and lots of fun and music.  Event sponsored in part by First Neighborhood Place, area JCPS schools and Family Resource and Youth Services Centers, Louisville Metro Council Members, Louisville Metro Police and Office of Resilience and Community Services, and Okolona Fire Department, and local churches.

Councilwoman Cindi Fowler (D-14) will officially host a Kick Off Party for the community as a way of formally opening the Sun Valley Pool on Monday, July 15th.

“I want to tell the community, we did it! Through hard work, dedication, and community pride we have come together and in a very short time have brought new life to the Sun Valley Pool,” said the Councilwoman. “I will never be able to thank enough, the businesses and groups who worked with me to make this happen.”

The official Kick Off Party is set for 12:00pm at the Sun Valley Pool, 6505 Bethany Lane. It will include free food from local businesses, gifts of sunglasses and refillable water bottles, and of course loads of summer pool fun!

The pool will then be open for swimming at 1:00pm. Admission will be $2 for children and $3 for adults.

The Councilwoman was able to get the pool reopened through revised budget funding and using her Neighborhood Development Funds to pay for lifeguards and their training. She wants to specifically thank Louisville Metro Parks for coordinating the lifeguard training and working with volunteers to get the pool ready.

She added this huge accomplishment would not have been possible without amazing community sponsors: Valley Dairy Freeze, Recreonics, Louisville Water Company, French Contracting, Zoeller Pump Company, Louisville Parks Foundation, Chick-fil-a, Meijer, LG&E, Khalil’s, Lowe’s, Foster Hydraulics, and all of the fantastic members of the community who stepped up to donate their time and resources to the cause.

“If nothing else, this effort shows people care about the quality of life things offered in our council districts and community,” says Fowler. “Far too often, we take the easy way to find a financial solution instead of asking for help when needed. The people of our community are ready to help us if we will let them know what is needed.”

The entire family is invited to enjoy a day of fun on the banks of the Ohio River as Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing hosts its 18th annual “Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social,” Sunday, July 14 from 1-5 p.m. 

The historic property is located at 7410 Moorman Road. 

The event features live music by The Rigbys (Beatles Tribute Band), a magic show with Dave Cottrell, and several activities for kids, including miniature train rides, pony rides, and a farm animal petting zoo.  Visitors will also be able to participate in an archaeological dig underway on the Riverside grounds, take tours of the circa 1837 Farnsley-Moremen House, and browse through the Friends of the Southwest Library book sale.

The Cincinnati Buckeyes and the Cincinnati Red Stockings will play an 1860s-style “base ball” game beginning at 1 p.m.

A highlight of the event is the Ice Cream Eating contest. Ten children and six adults will be selected to compete.  Contestants will vie for the “first to finish” award!

Concessions will include:  Ehrler’s ice cream in great old-fashioned ice cream flavors and these food trucks: the Celtic Pig, Livin the Dream and Hot Diggity Dog.

This year, the National Council for Family Learning in partnership with JCPS is hosting a Community Jamboree Tent called “Get the Scoop.” The public is invited to visit booths throughout the tent featuring community resources available to families. The first 1,500 people to tour the Community Jamboree Tent will get a voucher for a free Ehrler’s ice cream sandwich and a free hot dog from the Hot Diggity Dog food truck.

Admission to the event is free–and so are the children’s activities. Donations are encouraged for tours of the historic house.

Entertainment Schedule:        

1:00     The Rigbys     
2:30     Magician David Cottrell
3:00     Ice Cream Eating Contest
4:00     The Rigbys 

For more information: www.riverside-landing.org

The Louisville Metro Animal Services shelter is near maximum capacity, so in an effort to reduce kennel overcrowding, all redemption fees for impounded stray pets at the LMAS shelter are waived for the month of July.

“We always struggle during the summer months and reached capacity a couple of times in June,” said Ozzy Gibson, LMAS shelter Director. “I can’t for the life of me figure out why citizens don’t come and get their pets.”

LMAS makes every effort to prevent shelter overcrowding, but a simple way keep to pets out of the shelter isn’t being fully utilized. A Louisville ordinance requires Jefferson county residents to license their dog or cat with LMAS. 

Many are unaware of the requirement, or that a license could prevent their pet from being impounded, and the fees associated with their stay. Pet licenses can be purchased or renewed at the LMAS Shelter, Animal House Adoption Center, by mail or online.

LMAS also offers vouchers to help pet owners with the cost of spay/neuter surgery, while a number of local animal organizations offer resources for pet owners who need assistance. To view a list of resources such as pet food banks and low-cost veterinary services, click here.

*Amnesty for stray pets at the LMAS Shelter begins July 1st through July 31st. Only pet owners with no previous violations will receive amnesty and court cases are not included.  Owners are still responsible for the cost of microchip, licensing and vaccinations.

Pets can be claimed at the LMAS Shelter, located at 3705 Manslick Road, Monday-Friday 12-6pm; and Saturdays 11-2pm.  

To view all stray pets currently at the LMAS Shelter, click here.

To view a complete list of fees associated with the impoundment of a stray, click here. 

Since January, sixteen businesses have been approved for loans, totaling over $1.25 million, by the Louisville Metro Government’s Department of Economic Development and Office of Resilience and Community Services. The loans will leverage a total investment of more than $1.7 million and will assist the businesses in opening, expanding services, or rehabilitating properties.

Twelve (12) METCO loans, administered through the Department of Economic Development, have been awarded in the first six months of 2019, including these most recent recipients:

• $44,743 midi loan approved for Bourbon Barrel Foods for the purchase of an additional specialized smoker to increase production of its food products and expand its product offerings.
• $100,000 gap loan approved for Mandala House to relocate and expand its offices at 633 Baxter Ave. to accommodate the growing demand for outpatient mental health services. The funding will help Mandala House owners with renovation costs, including flooring, drywall, and furnishings, as well as marketing the new location and recruiting new hires.
• $100,000 façade loan and $50,000 midi loan approved for Sal Properties to renovate properties at 2109-2115 Frankfort Ave.
• $100,000 gap loan approved for LOP Properties for renovations to 2133 W. Market St.
• $50,000 business accelerator loan approved for commercial hauling businesses Blackhaq Enterprise.

Microbusiness Development Program loans, administered through the Office of Resilience and Community Services, have been awarded to the following businesses:

• $5,000 Spark loan to Xtreme Carpet Cleaning for equipment and supplies. Xtreme Carpet Cleaning provides carpet and upholstery cleaning services to residential and commercial customers in Louisville.
• $5,000 Spark loan to Step By Step Family Services LLC for equipment, supplies, and marketing. Located at the Nia Center, 2900 W. Broadway, Step By Step Family Services provides behavioral, mental health services. and case management.
• $5,000 Spark loan to Divine Lash & Beauty LLC for supplies and start-up costs. Divine Lash & Beauty LLC provides eyelash extension services and products.
• $5,000 Spark loan to Malone Step-N-Dance Company for supplies and space costs. Malone Step-N-Dance Company is a youth dance team, and its studio is located at Mellwood Arts Center, 1830 Mellwood Ave.

The Metropolitan Business Development Corporation (METCO) governs metro government’s small business loans and provides financial assistance through commercial loans for new and expanding businesses, including façade, accessibility, and gap financing loans. These loans are evaluated based on project cost and fund availability, with a variety of interest rates depending on the loan program.

The METCO board meets the fourth Thursday of each month. Meetings are held at 9 a.m. at the offices of Louisville Forward, 444 S. 5th St., Suite 600. Upcoming meetings in 2019 include July 25, August 22, September 26, October 24, and December 12.

Louisville Metro’s Microbusiness Development Program helps low- and moderate-income business owners start and grow small businesses. A microbusiness employs five or fewer people, including the owner. The program includes training, technical assistance, and the opportunity to apply for a loan.

The loan program helps businesses owners who need capital as many microbusinesses have little or no access to the commercial banking sector. Loans range from $500 to $15,000, and borrowers have a choice of two programs, one for businesses that have been open for at least one year and one for start-ups.