Wednesday October 15, 2025
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Photo: Kentucky Derby Museum

Kentucky Derby Museum is pleased to announce the grand prize winner of the Horsing Around With Art competition, presented by WinStar Farm Ivylee McKean, a senior at Pleasure Ridge Park High School, was awarded the top prize out of more than 200 entries from 30 Metro Louisville schools.

McKean’s oil painting, flecked with gold leafing, of horses coming down the stretch with the famed Twin Spires in the distance was judged to best “capture the spirit of the Kentucky Derby”. She will receive six box seats to Kentucky Derby 144, a ribbon, plaque and a certificate. PRP’s art department will also receive $500 for art supplies. Her work will be professionally framed and displayed in the Museum for one year.

Kentucky Derby Museum Patrick Armstrong, Education Coordinator Heather Hill and other staff members, along with Ivylee’s Mom, surprised her with a dozen red roses and the news that she’d won the contest during her art class Monday.

Other distinctive and divisional award winners were also announced today. For a complete list, click here.

The competition is open to students in grades 1-12 from Louisville Metro public, private or parochial schools and showcases the student’s take on the Kentucky Derby in different artistic style, media and form. The exhibit runs now through February 18th.

All winners and exhibiting students will be recognized in a special ceremony at the Kentucky Derby Museum on February 13th.

For more information on Horsing Around With Art, visit DerbyMuseum.org.

Photo: Kentucky Derby Museum

Hundreds of pieces of extraordinary student artwork will be on display beginning today, Monday, January 15th, for the Kentucky Derby Museum’s 32nd annual Horsing Around with Art: A Student’s view of the Sport of Kings art competition, presented by WinStar Farm.

The competition is open to students in grades one through 12 from Louisville Metro public, private or parochial schools and showcases the student’s take on the Kentucky Derby in different artistic style, media and form. This year, more than 30 schools submitted over 200 pieces of artwork for the competition.

“Horsing Around with Art is an exhibit we look forward to opening each year. The spirit of the Kentucky Derby and the equine industry is captured with such creativity and talent by all student artists. The quality of the artwork never fails to amaze the judges and visitors alike. It is a wonderful way to celebrate and champion the arts in our local schools,” Kentucky Derby Museum President Patrick Armstrong said.

“WinStar is proud to support the Kentucky Derby Museum’s student art competition that not only encourages youth to participate and express their talent but also to become fans of the Thoroughbred industry in the process. Initiatives that have the ability to create new fans are essential to the sport and generate excitement for one of the industry’s most celebrated events,” President and CEO of WinStar Farm Elliott Walden said.

The 2018 Horsing Around With Art: A Student’s View of the Sport of Kings runs January 15 through February 18 in the Museum’s Matt Winn Gallery.

A panel of judges will select winners in several categories of distinctive and divisional awards.

One Grand Prize winner, whose work is judged to best “capture the spirit of the Kentucky Derby”, will take home six tickets to Kentucky Derby 144 and will have their artwork on display at the Kentucky Derby Museum for one year. Other prizes include a chance to experience Churchill Downs Racetrack’s backside during the first morning of Kentucky Derby Week , a private tour of WinStar Farm, a private tour of Hermitage Farm as well as high quality art supplies.

A total of $6,000 in quality art supplies will be awarded to winning schools’ art departments.

All winners and exhibiting students will be recognized during a ceremony at the Kentucky Derby Museum on February 13.

Photo: Louisville Department of Public Health and Wellness

The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness will sponsor a free 16-week class series, PreventT2, to help people prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes.

Classes begin on Friday, January 19 at 11:30 a.m. and will be held for one hour each Friday at the South Louisville Community Center at 2911 Taylor Boulevard from January 19 until May 4. For more information or to enroll, call (502) 574-6663 or email andrea.doughty@louisvilleky.gov.

PreventT2 is designed to help people with prediabetes make relatively small lifestyle changes that can prevent or delay the onset of full-blown Type 2 diabetes and its devastating health consequences such as heart disease, kidney failure, stroke and blindness.  It is estimated that one out three people in the United States has prediabetes and ninety percent of them don’t know they have it.

Those most at risk for prediabetes include those who:

  • are age 45 or older
  • are overweight
  • have a family history of Type 2 diabetes
  • get little physical activity
  • have had gestational diabetes
  • have given birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds.

If you fall into even one of these categories, you should seriously consider taking this course.

PreventT2 participants will work with trained lifestyle coaches on activities proven to help lose weight, eat more nutritiously and become more physically active. PreventT2 groups meet for a year, weekly for the first 6 months and then once or twice a month for the next six months to maintain healthy lifestyle changes.

PreventT2 is part of the CDC’s (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) National Diabetes Prevention Program.  Public Health and Wellness has partnered with the Kentuckiana Regional Planning & Development Agency (KIPDA) to offer the course in Louisville.

Photo: Neighborhood Place

Neighborhood Place partners offer workshops and services in January to benefit all family members including a Healthy Living Club, two dates to meet with Legal Aid representatives, an energy management workshop as well as two employment recruitment events.  To learn more about these offerings and several others please refer to the list below.

Jan. 8, ElderCare 4 Families Employment Recruitment at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 313-4635 for more information. An employment recruiter will be on-hand from ElderCare 4 Families, an in-home non-medical care service for seniors that provides assistance such as cooking, cleaning, laundry and personal care.

Mondays and Thursdays, YMCA’s “Caring and Learning with Me” program at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd., side of Thomas Jefferson Middle School.  Call Keyonna Humphrey at 974-8457 for more information and to register.  This free program provides a wonderful learning environment for children ages 3-5 years old and their caregivers focusing on play and exploration.  The adult caregiver is required to attend with the child/ren and you may also bring other children ages (0-2). Sponsored by the YMCA with support from First Neighborhood Place.

Jan. 9, Foster Parent Recruitment Meeting at First Neighborhood Place, 6 – 8 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd., side of Thomas Jefferson Middle School.  Call 595-5437 (KIDS) for more information.  Detailed information will be provided on the requirements and process of how to become a foster or adoptive parent.  Information such as an explanation of foster care, special needs adoption, and information on foster parent training classes will be provided.  Sponsored by Kentucky Foster Care and the training classes will be provided.  Sponsored by Kentucky Foster Care and the Special Needs Adoption Program.

Jan. 9, Healthy Living Club at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 1 – 2 p.m.
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place, Call 363-1483 for more information.  Classes are open to anyone interested in gaining more knowledge to live a better and more fulfilling life. Monthly meetings are on the second Tuesday of every month to discuss healthy living and to get the support you need to eat better, get active, and lose weight.  This month, a representative from Family Health Center will discuss “A New Year and a New You.”  Come and join the fun and fellowship.

Jan. 9, Blood Pressure Checks at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 313-4635 for more information. Louisville Metro Health and Wellness health educators will provide free blood pressure checks.

Jan. 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 and 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.

Jan. 16, Sodexo Hiring Opportunities at First Neighborhood Place, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd., side of Thomas Jefferson Middle School. 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.

Jan. 17, Community Dental Care Information Sessions
Call 366-4442 for more information.  Community Dental Care is a full-service dental organization designed to increase access to health care in communities with the goal of improving the overall health of the population. Representatives will be on site to provide information about services offered and to assist in scheduling appointments for dental needs or for pediatric health needs.

  • South Jefferson Neighborhood Place – Fairdale location, 1000 Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • South Jefferson Neighborhood Place – Valley Location, 10200 Dixie Hwy., 1:30 – 3 p.m.

Thursdays, Jan. 18 – March 8, 4 Your Child Dads Making the Difference at NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 4 – 8 p.m.  
Located at 4018 W. Market St.  For more information or to register for the upcoming weekly workshops, please contact Dr. Cheri Langley at 709-9323 or by email at 4YourChild@Outlook.com.  “4 Your Child” is an eight-week fatherhood program that aims to improve the quantity and quality of fathers’ involvement by integrating responsible parenting, economic stability, and relationship education services.  Participants may be compensated for their time up to $220 but registration is required.

Jan. 23 and 25, Legal Aid Representative Sessions
A representative from Legal Aid will be on hand to discuss issues surrounding domestic violence, Emergency Protective Orders and making a safety plan for all family members.  Stop by to discuss your situation.  All matters are confidential.

  • Jan. 23, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd. . (W.D. Bruce Building_ door #24), 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.  Call 313-4700 for more info.
  • Jan. 25, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 1000 Neighborhood Place, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Call 363-1483 for more info.

Jan. 30, Energy Management Workshop at the First Neighborhood Place, side of Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 1 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Road.   Call 313-4728 or 313-4700 for registration.  Project Warm’s free workshops help families take control of their energy usage and learn “do-it-yourself” energy-saving tips. Free supplies will be distributed at the end of the workshop such as clear plastic/tape for windows, caulk to seal openings around windows and sealing foam

Start the New Year Right!  Become a non-smoker.  You’ll feel better and you’ll live longer.  Do it for your health.  Do it for your family.  Do it for yourself!

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 574 – STOP (574-7867), email StopSmoking@louisvilleky.gov or online.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CLASS SCHEDULE, TO REGISTER FOR A CLASS, AND TO LEARN OTHER WAYS TO HELP YOU STOP SMOKING.

A group of students at Olmsted Academy South will turn poems they’ve written into music with the help of My Morning Jacket’s Jim James and the Louisville Orchestra’s Teddy Abrams. The students will showcase their work on Friday, December 8, at 1 p.m. at the school, 5650 Southern Parkway.

Last March, Young Authors Greenhouse, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating young authors and publishing their works, began working with sixth-grade students at Olmsted Academy South to help them publish worthy pieces. In November, the students were invited to read their written works on stage during a concert featuring nationally acclaimed author Dave Eggers and musician Jim James. The students were so impressive that James and Abrams have been working with the girls this week to turn their writing into music.

Olmsted Academy South opened in 2008 and is the only all-girls public middle school in Kentucky.

James, a Louisville native, is a vocalist, guitarist, producer, and primary songwriter of the rock band My Morning Jacket. Abrams is a conductor, pianist, clarinetist, and composer and is currently the music director of the Louisville Orchestra.

The Jefferson County Board of Education (JCBE) has received nine applications from candidates interested in serving as the superintendent of the Jefferson County Public School (JCPS) District after an open application process concluded on December 1, 2017.

The Superintendent Screening Committee, whose role is to provide recommendations to the board, will meet December 8 to initiate a review of the candidate applications. The board will begin its own review of applications during its executive session scheduled for December 12.

The recommendations of the screening committee will be one source of information the board will use in selecting the new superintendent. In addition, the board will consider community perspectives following extensive public outreach over the next two months.

The board will seek input from multiple district stakeholders, including parents, students, teachers, principals, and other district administrators and employees, as well as community organizations and groups. This input will be provided through multiple methods of community outreach, including surveys, community meetings, focus groups, social media, and the district’s website. The board contracted Louisville public relations firm Bandy Carroll Hellige to manage the outreach, and more details about different opportunities for public feedback will be announced in the coming weeks.

The board expects that the process of reviewing applications will take place through December and January and that the finalists for the superintendent position will be interviewed in February with the goal of the selected candidate beginning work by April. These dates are not intended to set a fixed timeline.

Updates will be provided throughout the process.

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