Olmsted Parks Conservancy is offering free walking tours of Iroquois Park throughout the month of July. Described in its early days as Louisville’s “Yellowstone,” attendees will explore Iroquois Park’s lush landscape fascinating 131-year history in a series of three tours led by Certified Tour Guide and Olmsted Parks Conservancy Park Steward Denise Davis.

On each tour, Davis, who previously gave tours of Central Park in New York, will take guests on a 90-minute journey through the park on paved walkways and natural trails, discussing everything from the illegal purchase of the “Burnt Knob” by Mayor Jacob, to the role the park played in segregation and re-integration of the park system, and finally enjoy park’s unparalleled view of the city from the North Overlook that has inspired artists for over a century.

Tours are offered Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9:30 – 11 AM and are always free to the public. The tour series is included in this year’s cultural pass. Walk ups are welcome, but early registration through Eventbrite is encouraged. Tour descriptions and schedule can be found below.

Iroqouis Park: Jacob’s Folly

• Offered Wednesday, 7/3 & Saturday, 7/6 | 9:30 AM
• Meeting Location: Southern Scenic Overlook
• On this tour, guests will learn about Mayor Jacob’s original (and illegal) purchase of “Burnt Knob” for the city, Frederick Law Olmsted’s vision and design for Louisville’s own “Yellowstone,” and the geological reality that has always affected the experience of our wondrous park. We will begin at the Southern Scenic Overlook, explore the southern part of the loop atop the knob, with a brief venture into Summit Field.

Iroquois Park: Change Abounds – the Park Responds

• Offered Wednesday, 7/10 & Saturday, 7/13 | 9:30 AM
• Meeting location: Play-All Playground (near Amphitheater)
• Constructed in the 19th century, Iroquois Park experienced many changes as Louisville and its people entered and progressed through the 20th century. It is here that the incident which unfortunately led to our parks being officially segregated for over thirty years took place. It’s also here that, decades later, the first all-accessible playground was built in our city. Come hear about and see the physical and social changes present in this beautiful park’s history.

Iroquois Park: The Gift & Curse of Beauty

• Offered Wednesday, 7/17 & Saturday, 7/20 | 9:30 AM
• Meeting Location: Northern Overlook
• On this tour, enter a landscape that has inspired artists. Explore areas around the recently renovated Northern Overlook, discuss the powerful draw of nature and its effects on us and the environment, and learn what it takes to restore, enhance and forever protect such magnificence in our midst.

Join us as we celebrate “Northanger Abbey: Adventure and Romance Unmasked”

Featured speakers:

• Cristina Barreto-Lancaster – “The Good Guide to creating the Perfect Wardrobe. All the answers that every lady needs to know about wearing their clothing & accessories: When, Who, How, Where and Why.”
• Cristina Barreto-Lancaster & Martin Lancaster are the authors of Napoleon and the Empire of Fashion book (out of print, new edition coming).
• Dr. Glynis Ridley, University of Louisville – Isabella Thorpe’s Northanger Abbey: Gothic Plots and Possibilities & Eleanor Tilney’s Northanger Abbey: Histories of England and Empire.

Shop our Regency Emporium and Shoppes of Meryton, promenade with “Catherine Morland and Mrs. Allen in Bath,” encounter His Majesty’s Royal Navy, and dine and dance the night away at our Masque Ball at our new fabulous location, The Pendennis Club.

Also, the Betsy Bashore Regency Fashion Show and Gayle Simmons Regency fashion  display in the Grand Parlor of 1790s Locust Grove, Punch & Judy, Common Stock Entertainment, Lady Caroline Linnington, Sunday morning church services and so much more.

Sponsored by the Jane Austen Society of Greater Louisville,  and held at Locust Grove, 561 Blankenbaker Lane, Louisville, KY

Tours of the house Saturday & Sunday of the festival. Festival hours are 6 p.m. Friday evening until 9 p.m.;  Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Watch our website for updates: www.jasnalouisville.com  On-line advance registration opens June 5th.  Advance reservations for the ball, tea times and workshops are highly recommended because these activities all sell-out before the festival opens. For the entire festival schedule, go to our website: www.jasnalouisville.com

Jane Austen Festival Admission Prices:

Friday, July 12th- Twilight Shopping $10.00 per person (ONLINE and AT THE FESTIVAL), Children under 12 are admitted FREE with an adult

Saturday and Sunday, July 13th and 14th

• One-day pass $18.00 per person (ONLINE DISCOUNTED PRICE UNTIL JULY 1st-AVAILABLE ONLY ONLINE) or $20.00 per person (AT THE FESTIVAL)
• Two-day pass $30.00 per person (ONLINE DISCOUNTED PRICE UNTIL JULY 1st- AVAILABLE ONLY ONLINE)
• Children under 12 are admitted FREE with an adult

Jane Austen Festival Special Event Ticket Prices:

• Four-course Afternoon Tea- $25 per person (plus Festival Admission)
• Children’s Tea on Sunday, July 14th, 4:00-5:00 p.m.- $20 per child (plus Festival admission if over 12 years of age) and $25 per adult attending with the child(ren)

The 2018 festival had a record attendance of 2400+ from 25 states.

Although the 2018 tax filing season has ended, there is still free help available in preparing past due and amended tax returns.  Now through October, the Louisville Asset Building Coalition’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, or VITA, will provide federal and state income tax assistance to income eligible residents who need help filing prior returns. It is also still possible to receive a refund for returns from the years 2016 to 2018 for those who qualify. Taxpayers earning $66,000 or less can make an appointment with a VITA team member by calling (502) 574-5687.

Summer/early fall VITA tax preparation sites are located at the following:

• The Edison Center, 701 W Ormsby, Suite 201, 40203 –  Mondays and Tuesdays, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Louisville Urban League 1535 W Broadway, 40203 – Wednesdays, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. 

Saturday hours are also available on the following dates at the Edison Center:  Aug. 3, Sept. 7 and Oct. 5, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

The IRS lists the following reasons for filing past due returns:

• Avoid interest and penalties File your past due return and pay now to limit interest charges and late payment penalties. 
• Claim a Refund You risk losing your refund if you do not file your return. If you are due a refund for withholding or estimated taxes, you must file your return to claim it within three years of the return due date. The same rule applies to a right to claim tax credits such as the Earned Income Credit.
• Protect Social Security Benefits If you are self-employed and do not file your federal income tax return, any self-employment income you earned will not be reported to the Social Security Administration and you will not receive credits toward Social Security retirement or disability benefits. 
• Avoid Issues Obtaining Loans Loan approvals may be delayed if you do not file your return. Copies of filed tax returns must be submitted to financial institutions, mortgage lenders/brokers, etc., whenever you want to buy or refinance a home, get a loan for a business, or apply for federal aid for higher education.
• If You Owe More Than You Can Pay  If you cannot pay what you owe, you can request an additional 60-120 days to pay your account in full through the Online Payment Agreement Application or by calling 800-829-1040; no user fee will be charged. If you need more time to pay, you can request an installment agreement or you may qualify for an offer in compromise.

Amended tax returns may be necessary if you excluded a source of income when filing your original return, and are required by the IRS to add the additional document. Also taxpayers are often not aware of the credits that they are eligible when they file their original return and in these cases the VITA team can assist them in filing for these credits.  For example, many taxpayers are not aware that educational expenses can be used as a credit in many cases.

Please be sure to bring the following items to your appointment with a VITA representative:

• Social security card for everyone on tax return
• Picture ID for taxpayer and spouse
• W-2 and 1099 from employer
• List of other income/expenses
• 1098 for education credits
• 1095-A for certain healthcare credits
• Blank check or account info for direct deposit
• Savings account and routing numbers if you would like to save a portion of your refund
• Schedule C’s also prepared for self-employment
• For amended returns, a copy of the original tax return. 

“We encourage residents who missed the date to file their tax returns or who have returns that need to be amended to file so that they can claim the refunds and credits for which they are eligible,” said Christopher Murphree, Program Director for the Louisville Asset Building Coalition (LABC) which administers the local VITA program.  “We also encourage taxpayers who believe that they will owe money to file as soon as possible, and we can assist them with setting up a payment plan.”

During the 2018 tax filing season, LABC prepared over 8,200 returns that provided an average refund of $1,638 at nine tax sites in Louisville.

The work of the Louisville Asset Building Coalition (LABC) is funded locally by Louisville Metro Government, Metro United Way and several other partners.  Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services also provides administrative, marketing and technical support, as well as a shared mission to build the financial stability of the residents in our community.

For more information on LABC services, please visit www.labcservices.org.

Afternoon Lecture Series | Jason Hiner: The Burr-Hamilton Duel of 1804
Wednesday, July 3, 1:15 pm

Jason Hiner, Locust Grove first-person interpreter and history aficionado, will tell us about the Hamilton-Burr duel and how it became a gruesome symbol of the bitter and partisan political infighting among America’s founders. This talk explores who Hamilton and Burr were, the different opinions they had about politics and politicians, and why their differences led to a duel that left Hamilton dead and turned America’s Vice-President into an outlaw.

The Locust Grove Afternoon Lecture Series is held the first Wednesday of each month. Dessert and coffee are served at 1:00 pm with the lecture immediately following at 1:15 pm. Admission is $6, $4 for Friends of Historic Locust Grove. Reservations are not required. Part of The Age of Hamilton series at Locust Grove.

Free Independence Day!
Thursday, July 4, 10:00 am – 4:30 pm

FREE TO THE PUBLIC all day! Sponsored by Independence Bank.

Join the Clark and Croghan families as they celebrate Independence Day 1816. General George Rogers Clark’s soldiers return to honor him and all who fought – and you can experience life 200 years ago. Hear readings of the Declaration of Independence throughout the day, and discover the Revolutionary spirit. Food and drink will be offered for sale, or bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the grounds.   We’ll have a small summer-reading book sale, with all books priced at only $2 for hardbacks and $1 for paperbacks.

Additional support sponsored in honor of The Society of the Cincinnati.  

The 11th Annual Jane Austen Festival
Friday, July 12 | 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Saturday, July 13 & Sunday, July 14 | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Celebrating Northanger Abbey: Adventure and Romance Unmasked!

Sponsored by the Jane Austen Society of North America—Greater Louisville Region, the largest Jane Austen event in North America returns to Locust Grove. Throughout the weekend, immerse yourself in the Regency world as you attend presentations by featured speakers and a Regency Style Show under the Big Tent, watch demonstrations of Regency past-times, gain new skills to further your Regency education with our Workshops, delight in Four-Course Afternoon Tea, visit and shop our Regency Emporium and Shoppes of Meryton, and more!

Sponsored by the Jane Austen Society of North America, Greater Louisville Region. Visit www.jasnalouisville.com for more tickets and more information.

Summer Thursday Concert Series: Swing ‘39
Thursday, July 25, 6:30 pm

Our Summer Thursday Concert series brings Kentucky musicians to our gardens! Join us on July 25 at 6:30 pm for gypsy swing with Swing ’39. Following in the musical tradition of Django Reinhardt, Swing ‘39 plays the original compositions of Django and popular tunes by composers such as Cole Porter, Gershwin, and Ellington with an energy that is sassy and lots of fun.

Bring your own blankets and chairs. Performance space, food, and bar open at 6:00 pm; performance begins at 6:30 pm. Admission: $16/$14 for members.

Final weeks!
Special Exhibition
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

Locust Grove is located at 561 Blankenbaker Lane (between Brownsboro Road and River Road), Louisville, KY 40207.

The first public meeting will be held July 11 to collect public input to a project aimed at updating the Eastern Parkway corridor between Cherokee Park and Crittenden Drive to make it safer and more user friendly to motorists, transit users, pedestrians and bicyclists while improving drainage and landscaping.

The Eastern Parkway Transportation Study is being funded through a $500,000 federal Transportation Alternatives Program grant awarded to Louisville in 2017 and matched with Kentucky Transportation Cabinet toll credits. The study will consider such elements as sidewalk and curb improvements, shared use pedestrian paths, bike connectivity and other complete streets alternatives aimed at accommodating the transportation modes of all users of the corridor.

Frederick Law Olmstead’s firm designed Eastern Parkway more than 100 years ago as a recreational traffic link to one of Louisville’s biggest parks. That design did not contemplate what is now up to 17,000 motorists using the road each day along with the walkers and bicyclists.

The study is aimed at updating the parkway to better accommodate all modern users while being respectful of the original parkway characteristics. Completion of the study is anticipated in the summer of 2020. It will include recommendations on design elements and associated cost estimates. The Gresham Smith engineering and design firm is leading the study under the direction of Public Works project manager John Swintosky.

Public meeting will be:

• July 11, 2019
• 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Audubon Traditional Elementary School Gymnasium
• 1051 Hess Lane
• Louisville KY 40217

Each month, Neighborhood Place partners provide numerous events and resources to benefit the entire family.  Activities in July include the series “Supporting the Black Family: Mental Wellness Workshop”; several employment hiring events, two back to school events and more. To learn more about these offerings, please refer to the list below.

July 1 and 15, Kentucky Health Career Center at two locations
Looking for a job in healthcare?  Kentucky Health Care Center can help with career assessments, training funds, job leads and referrals.  A representative from the Kentucky Health Career Center will be on hand to discuss the multiple opportunities the Center can office.   Call 574-3344 for more information. 

• July 1, Charmoli Neighborhood Place, 200 Juneau Drive, Suite 200., 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• July 15, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

July 2, 9, 18 and 26, Passport Health Care Community Engagement at multiple locations

Call 1-800-578-0603 to RSVP and for more information.  Passport Members are invited to join with representatives from Passport Health Care for one-on-one consultations to discuss plan benefits and options.   

This is a great opportunity as Passport aims to raise awareness and educate the community about the Passport Health Plan mission.  Passport members will receive a $10 retail gift card for attending.

• July 2, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd (door #16) side of Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 9 – 11 a.m.
• July 9, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd (door #16) side of Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 9 – 11 a.m.
• July 9, Northwest Neighborhood Place, 4018 West Market St. on the Market St. side of the Academy at Shawnee, 10:30  m. – 12 p.m.
• July 18, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 1000 Neighborhood Place 2 – 3 p.m.
• July 26, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 2- 3 p.m.

July 9 and Aug 1, U.S. Census Bureau’s Hiring Event at First Neighborhood Place, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Located at Rangeland Road (T.J. Middle School in the W.D. Bruce Building – door #24).  Call 313-4700 for  more information.  A U.S. Census Bureau’s representative will be available to share information about the hundreds of entry-level office and warehouse clerks employment opportunities for the Jeffersonville location.National Processing Center (NPC) is the U.S. Census Bureau’s primary center for mail processing, survey processing, data capture, imaging/scanning and warehouse operations. NPC recently increased the starting hourly pay rate for entry level clerks to $14.54 per hour.

July 11, July 18 and July 25, Supporting the Black Family: Mental Wellness Workshop at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 5 – 7 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave.  For more information or to reserve your spot, call 354-8424 or email theglamnetwork18@gmail.  In recognition of Minority Mental Health Month, this series features three workshops which include: 1) “I did not ask to be here!”, a parent workshop centered on the development of children and how adverse childhood experiences affect their health; 2) “This mama is tired!”, a women’s workshop exploring the self-worth of being the nurturer of the family; and 3) “Brother are you alright?”, a men’s workshop exploring what it is like to live in a society where being vulnerable is identified as weakness.  Light refreshments will be served.  Presented by Ujima Neighborhood Place Community Council and The Girls Living Above Mediocrity Network.

July 11, A Healthy Journey for Two Educational Baby Shower at First Neighborhood Place, 1- 3 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd. For more information or to RSVP, contact Mendy Mason at 502-341-5400.   A Healthy Journey for Two is an educational baby shower open to any expectant mothers.  The class will include a range of information and resources, as well as free baby items, gift cards, prizes, and snacks.  Hosted by Seven Counties and KIDSNow.  Fathers are welcome but must be registered.

July 11, The Center for Women and Families Outreach at First Neighborhood Place, 1- 4:30 p.m. 
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd (door #24) side of Thomas Jefferson Middle School.  For more information, contact Nayelyi Sanchez, Domestic Violence Advocate at (502) 581-7270. Staff with the Center for Women and Families will be on-hand to give an overview of their services which include trauma-informed advocacy and support for qualified families and individuals with supportive services; emergency shelter; sexual assault services; housing; children’s services and more.

July 16, Family Scholar House HEROES Community Outreach at NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 9 – 11 a.m.
Located at 4018 W. Market St.  Call 485-7230 for more information.  The Family Scholar House has launched a new initiative aimed at community collective data focused on three areas:  Food Security, Social Connection and Post-Secondary Attainment.  To participate or learn more about this initiative, please visit their outreach table in the lobby.

July 18, Sodexo Hiring Opportunities at First Neighborhood Place, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Road (T.J. Middle School in the W.D. Bruce Building – door #24), 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Call 313-4700 for more information.  Sodexo, a food-service agency, will provide on-the-spot interviews for positions with Jewish Hospital, Our Lady of Peace and University of Louisville Hospital. Bring your resume and be prepared for an interview. This is one of Sodexo’s busiest hiring seasons. Stop by if you are looking for employment that can lead to a full-time or part-time position. 

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 574-6638.  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 f.  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, 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.

July 31, A Healthier Family for the New School Year at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave.  For more information and to reserve your spot, call 313-4635. Come learn and discuss some back to school health tips and ways to keep your family happy and healthy the entire year. Light refreshments will be served.  Presentation by Passport Health Plan.

The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness and its community partners are offering free stop smoking classes using the American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking® (FFS) program.  The 8-session program includes weekly support group meetings combined with the use of nicotine replacement products such as patches and gum. Participants receive free supplies of nicotine replacement products.

Advance registration for Freedom From Smoking® classes is required.  There are several ways to register:

• By phone at 574–STOP (574-7867).
• Or send us a note online.

Below is a list of upcoming classes: