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Photo: Kentucky Artisan Center
Kentucky Artisans interpret the world – and the Kentucky Artisan Center is illustrating that fact with sand, in the amazing sculpture “The Sands of Time” by internationally known sand sculptor Damon Farmer.
Farmer states, “My long-time avocation of sculpting sand gradually blossomed into a major aspect of my commercial work, and it now provides me opportunities to share my favorite art form worldwide.”
Directly in front of the Center on a circle of pavement, Farmer has sculpted 10 tons of compacted wet sand into a montage of portraits and scenes from Kentucky’s rich history. Included in the artist’s design are images of Abraham Lincoln, bourbon, horses, Daniel Boone and even Natural Bridge! The sculpture will be on display through July 15 at the Center.
Todd Finley, executive director of the Center states, “We are excited to invite travelers and people throughout the region to come and see how art and history have joined forces – and to see how sand can be turned into an amazing three dimensional sculpture of Kentucky history!”
The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea is located at 200 Artisan Way, just off Interstate 75 at Berea Exit 77. The center’s exhibits, shopping and travel information areas are open daily, year-round, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the cafe is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. For more information about center events call 859-985-5448, go to the center’s website, or visit the center’s Facebook page.
As people make preparations for Fourth of July celebrations, Louisville Metro Animal Services asks that you keep your pets in mind. Each year, pets across the country find their way into shelters during this festive time. While many look forward to the traditional celebratory sights and sounds of fireworks glowing and booming across the sky, this can be a scary experience for pets.
Louisville Metro Animal Services is bracing for an influx of stray animals to hit the streets of Jefferson County. The loud noises associated with this holiday weekend often result in a spike in stray animals. When dogs experience a large amount of fear and anxiety at once, their initial response is to retreat. However, there are some preventative measures you can take to protect your pet(s) and keep them feeling safe.
- Leave pets inside
- Close all windows and curtains to muffle the sound of fireworks, and always provide plenty of food and water. Turning on a radio, television or fan also may help calm your pet. For pets who experience severe anxiety, owners may want to consult their veterinarian about prescribing a mild sedative to ease the pets’ stress. Owners who are leaving town for the holiday should consider boarding their pets.
- Leave pets at home during firework displays
- Animals have a heightened sense of hearing. The loud “booming” noise can be deafening and cause pets to panic and want to hide. Take pets for quiet walks before the festivities begin or after they end.
- Distract distressed or anxious pets
- If pets exhibit uncharacteristic behaviors, such as incessant pacing, crying or whining, owners should help distract them through play or another enjoyable pet activity. There are several products designed to help reduce anxiety in dogs, such as relaxing music and snug calming vests.
- Make sure pets are wearing collars with identification tags at all times
- This even applies to pets who only live indoors. The ID tag should include the owner’s current address and phone number. Microchipping is also important, in case pet’s collars or tags are lost.
- Keep pets away from alcohol
- Alcohol is extremely dangerous to dogs. Small amounts of alcohol can cause your dog to become dangerously intoxicated, go into a coma, or in severe cases, die from respiratory failure. Even beer is toxic. Fermented hops and ethanol are poisonous to dogs and cats.
- Clean up firework debris before letting pets outside
- If pets eat the debris, it may cause digestive problems or serious injuries. Owners should contact their veterinarian immediately if their pets have been exposed to any potentially toxic or poisonous substances.
Louisville’s resilience efforts will initially focus on strengthening education, racial equity, economic development and sustainability throughout the city — challenges identified in partnership with more than 200 citizens, Mayor Greg Fischer announced today.
Louisville is a member of 100 Resilient Cities – Pioneered by The Rockefeller Foundation, which seeks to build resilience to economic, social and physical challenges in cities worldwide. Each city is tasked with identifying its own “shocks” — sudden events such as natural disasters — and long-term challenges, or “stresses.”
“Louisville is on a rapid trajectory, with 63,000 new jobs and $11 billion in capital investments since 2011,” Mayor Fischer said. “That’s all the more reason we need to be strengthening ourselves against the stresses and shocks that could slow or even halt our momentum – be it a natural disaster, like a flood, or economic distress, like a major employer leaving the city. We can do this by working with partners to build resilience in education, racial equity, economic development and sustainability.”
Louisville identified education, racial equity, economic development and sustainability as the initial focus of the resilience efforts during a workshop in January that included city leaders and representatives from dozens of local agencies, nonprofits and businesses. A full report on the Agenda Setting Workshop was released today and can be read at https://louisvilleky.gov/sites/default/files/asw.pdf
Eric Friedlander, who was named the city’s chief resilience officer in April, will use the Agenda Setting Workshop report as he leads the crafting of a resilience strategy — an outline for how the city will strengthen itself against shocks and stresses that could disrupt or slow the city’s momentum. This begins the process of identifying, with the larger community, and preparing for, the most impactful shocks and stresses that Louisville will need to address.
(Learn more about Resilient Louisville)
“For Louisville to thrive as an entire community, we must be able to respond to inevitable shocks and address and minimize stresses,” Friedlander said. “That will be accomplished by examining how to build on our ongoing initiatives in the areas of education, racial equity, economic development and sustainability, and to launch new efforts that will lead to as stronger, more resilient Louisville.”
Mayor Fischer will discuss the city’s resilience efforts at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 6, at the Ali Center during the community conversation Capturing Ali’s Spirit: Creating a City of Peace.
Kentucky Adult Education (KYAE) will launch a new brand logo July 1 for the free instructional programming it offers in all 120 Kentucky counties. “Skills U” reflects an increased emphasis on helping adults build academic and essential workforce skills for college and careers.
“Our new brand is a reflection of the reality that it is no longer enough for Kentuckians to earn just a high school or GED diploma, a reality further underscored by the implementation of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act,” says Reecie Stagnolia, vice president for adult education, Council on Postsecondary Education.
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) improves connections to employment and training opportunities that lead to economic prosperity for workers and their families. For KYAE Skills U, this translates to more intentional strategies to help its students enter college and be better prepared to gain and retain living-wage jobs.
“Kentucky Adult Education Skills U will continue to provide the free instructional services that have always been offered through Kentucky Adult Education – everything from foundational academic skills and essential skills identified as critical by employers to preparation for the GED test – and beyond,” Stagnolia says. “Now, we are working more intentionally with our partners to create a seamless system that encourages Kentuckians to get the postsecondary education and sustainable employment they need.”
Kentucky Adult Education Skills U is a unit of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. The logo is available at http://kyae.ky.gov/educators/logo.html. More information about KYAE Skills U, including a listing of county contacts, is available at http://www.kyae.ky.gov.
During the month of July the Kentucky Artisan Center will present demonstrations by four Kentucky printmakers who will show visitors an array of print techniques and printing processes.
Beginning on July 1, Steve Wiggins, of Lexington, will demonstrate how he cuts linoleum blocks to create relief images. He will then print these images onto paper and fabric using a small tabletop press. Wiggins has been drawing since he was a child and worked with acrylics and oils before settling on printmaking.
On Saturday, July 8, Elizabeth Foley, of Louisville, will demonstrate how she creates and prints her one-of-a-kind monotypes from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Kentucky Artisan Center. Foley taught art at the Sayre School in Lexington for 20 years and she exhibits her artwork throughout the U. S.
On Saturday, July 8, the Kentucky Artisan Center will offer visitors free guided tours through the center’s gallery exhibit, “225: Artists Celebrate Kentucky’s History” and in the lobby, “Agates: Kentucky’s Jewels.” Tours are at 11 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. and include a tour of the Center’s outdoor sand sculpture “The Sands of Time,” with information on its construction by artist Damon Farmer.
On Saturday, July 15, three members of the Berea Welcome Center Carvers will demonstrate a variety of woodcarving styles and techniques from 10:30 to 3:30 at the Center.
On Saturday, July 22, printmaker Nick Baute, co-owner of Hound Dog Press, a full service letterpress shop in Louisville, will demonstrate printmaking from 10:30 to 3:30 at the Center.
In operation since 2008, Hound Dog Press specializes in custom invitations, greeting cards, stationery, posters, art prints and design. All the press’s finished works are printed on vintage letterpress equipment with handset metal and wood letters used for printed type. All of their illustrations are made by hand carving wood and linoleum blocks.
On Saturday, July 29, artist Marta Dorton, of Lexington, will demonstrate collograph printmaking techniques from 10:30 to 3:30 at the Center.
Dorton states, “After 10 years of printmaking, I still marvel at the surprise on the paper as I pull off the print. I apply ink or paint onto the plate I have created – and run it through the press, each time creating a one-of-a-kind print. I love the planned and the unexpected outcomes.”
The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea is located at 200 Artisan Way, just off Interstate 75 at Berea Exit 77. The center’s exhibits, shopping and travel information areas are open daily, year-round, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the cafe is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. For more information about center events call 859-985-5448, go to the center’s website, or visit the center’s Facebook page.
Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM) remains activated at Level 4 in support of Tropical Storm Cindy as it moves through Kentucky. Level 4 operations consist of KYEM staff monitoring and gathering information on the storm as it moves across Kentucky.
Officials are urging our citizens to be prepared and aware of their surroundings as the rain increases throughout the day and overnight. Following are some safety tips for flooding:
Flooding Water:
Never enter flood waters by foot or vehicle. A vehicle caught in swiftly moving water can be swept away in a matter of seconds. Twelve inches of water can float a car or small SUV and 18 inches of water can carry away large vehicles.
Do not go into a basement or any room, if water covers the electrical outlets or if cords are submerged. If you see sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping or popping noises — get out!
Power Outages:
If electrical power lines are down, don’t touch them. Keep your family and pets away. Report downed lines to your utility company.
Do not use a generator inside your home. Make sure it is outside and ventilated as required by manufacturer instructions. Make sure you have a carbon monoxide detector in your home.
Tetanus:
Avoid contact with flood waters. Flood waters are unclean and can be a risk for tetanus for those who have open wounds that come into direct contact with them. Contact your regular health care provider or your local health department if you believe you may need a tetanus shot.
Mold Cleanup:
Mold may be present in homes that were flooded. An air conditioner or dehumidifier may be used to lower the level of humidity to prevent mold growth. Use exhaust fans when showering and cooking.
When cleaning up small areas affected by mold, make sure the area has enough air by opening doors or windows. Use protective glasses or goggles, rubber boots and waterproof gloves. Wash clothing afterwards. If there is heavy mold growth, use a respirator or suitable mask to prevent breathing the mold.
Remove all wet items that have been wet for more than 48 hours and are not able to be cleaned and dried.
If mold is growing in your home, you will need to clean up the mold and fix the moisture problem. Mold growth can be removed from hard surfaces with commercial products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water. Severe mold cases may require an expert to clean up.
Food Safety:
If you have power outages, keep freezers closed to help keep frozen food from going bad. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours and for 24 hours if the freezer is half full.
Refrigerated foods should be safe as long as power is out for no more than four hours. Throw away any perishable food in your refrigerator, such as meat, poultry, lunchmeats, fish, dairy products, eggs and any prepared or cooked foods that have been above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are safe as long as they are still firm and have no mold or slimy feel.
To remove spills and refresh the freezer and refrigerator, DPH recommends washing with a solution of 2 tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in 1 quart of warm water. To get rid of any odors, place an open box or dish of baking soda in the freezer or refrigerator.
For more flooding preparedness information, go to http://Healthalerts.ky.gov or http://www.floodsafety.noaa.gov. Also, visit www.kyem.ky.gov where you can follow KYEM on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
When posting on social media regarding the rain event, please use #KYWX.
Photo: Secretary of State website
Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes on Monday joined members of the Tri Ân Foundation to break ground for a new monument honoring Vietnamese and American veterans.
“Tri Ân in Vietnamese translates to ‘deep gratitude’, a feeling we all share when it comes to all people who sacrifice for the betterment and protection of their brothers and sisters,” said Grimes. “Millions of Americans and Vietnamese veterans fought side-by-side to win a heroic battle against communist aggression in Vietnam. We are forever grateful.”
The monument, located at Louisville’s Veterans Memorial Park, is an homage to the display of heroism during the Vietnam War. The design of eight bamboo-formed concrete columns representing the eight anti-communist allies that worked together toward freedom for the Vietnamese people – South Vietnam, the United States, Australia, Thailand, South Korea, New Zealand, Republic of China (Taiwan), and the Philippines. The monument will also have a digital component to connect veterans with fellow comrades and learn the destiny of rescued refugees. Families of the fallen will learn new stories and insights behind their loved one’s sacrifice.
“The Tri Ân Foundation is so appreciative of the generosity of so many who understand how important it is we recognize the gratitude of the Vietnamese people for those who helped secure their freedom,” said Yung Nguyen, founder of the foundation. “This monument will be a testament to their sacrifice and help all gain a deeper insight to an important part of world history.”
Grimes is deeply committed to honoring the service of veterans, and she is passionate about supporting Kentucky’s active-duty military members and their families. As Secretary of State, Grimes has advocated on their behalf in a range of issues from voting to business creation to job opportunities. She also played an integral role in the creation of the Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame.
More information about the Tri Ân Monument and Foundation is available at tri-ancompetition.com.
