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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.

Credit: Louisville Metro Police

It’s a Christmas tradition that brings smiles to the children of Portland and 1st Division service area every year. On Saturday, December 9th the 1st Division Police Auxiliary will host children and their families at their 42nd Annual Christmas Party.

“This is a special time of year for children in our area and every year the 1st Division Police Auxiliary works to make sure the children of this area have a special Christmas,” says Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton (D-5). “I am proud to be a sponsor of this event and I thank the Auxiliary for its dedication to the children of our area.”

The event is set for the Molly Leonard Community Center at 640 North 27th Street from 11:00am to 3:00pm.

Hamilton is joined by Council members Barbara Sexton Smith (D-4) and David James (D-6) as sponsors of the event.

“This is a wonderful community event where volunteers, auxiliary members, and LMPD Officers work to help families in our area,” says Sexton Smith.

“Every child should have a wonderful Christmas and every year the children of West Louisville are treated to a great spirit of giving in our community,” says James.

The 42nd Annual Christmas Party is for children aged ten and under. Last year the 1st Division Police Auxiliary was able to help over 300 children have a special holiday season. Every Child will have a chance to visit Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus and will receive a toy, fruit, candy, toboggan and gloves.

For more information about the event, call 502-574-7167.

The holidays is underway and once again, Councilman David James will host a special seasonal event for residents of District 6 when the California Unity Holiday Celebration gets underway beginning at 6:00pm on Friday, December 8th.

“It is always a joy to take the time to come together as a community and praise the true spirit of the season,” says James.  “A new year is on the horizon and I am confident that good things lie ahead for one of Metro Louisville’s greatest neighborhoods.”

The fun begins in the festive atmosphere of California Leisure Park at 6:00pm.  Santa Claus will be on hand to take the wishes and requests of children back to the North Pole.

The evening’s festivities will include live musical entertainment, free snacks, and refreshments will be available to all those who attend.  There will be a bicycle giveaway and gifts from Santa.

“I want to invite everyone to come out and join this community celebration as a way to embrace the holiday season in a neighborhood that enjoys the togetherness this time of year brings,” says James.
California Leisure Park is located at 963 Dixie Highway.

For more information about the 2017 California Unity Holiday Celebration, please contact Councilman James’ office at 574-1106.

Tickets are now on sale for the 50th annual Championship Tractor Pull sponsored by Syngenta. The scream of monster engines, the smell of burning rubber and the ground-pounding vibrations of the country’s largest, loudest and most powerful pulling machines returns to Freedom Hall. More than 70,000 fans will watch as the nation’s top drivers compete for the title of Grand Champion and a share of over $200,000 in prize money.

The four day event starts February 14 and continues until the February 17. Tickets range in price from $20 to $45. All events start at 7:00 PM, except for Saturday where there are two events (the first is at 12:00 PM and the second is at 7:00 PM). Parking will be $8 per vehicle.

Tickets are available at the Kentucky Exposition Center Ticket Office, by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or online at Ticketmaster.

Councilwoman Marianne Butler (D-15) and the leadership of Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital, invite you to this year’s “Light Up Sts. Mary and Elizabeth Hospital” on Tuesday, December 5 beginning at 5:30pm.

This festive celebration gets everyone in the holiday spirit while reminding us to make health choices during this season of parties.

“Sts. Mary and Elizabeth Hospital is a well-known and important part of our community and they are inviting all of South Louisville to come out and enjoy this celebration and light up South Louisville,” says Butler. “This is a great way to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the week.”

The celebration is underway from 5:30pm to 6:30pm.  Councilwoman Butler joins Charles Powell, President, Sts. Mary and Elizabeth Hospital and Santa Claus in welcoming the community to this year’s lighting of the outdoor chapel at the hospital.  Children can have their photo taken with Santa while enjoying hot cocoa and cookies.
Thanks to the Iroquois High School Band and Choir for providing Christmas tunes and caroling.
“Come and join us,” says Butler.

Sts. Mary and Elizabeth Hospital is located at 1850 Bluegrass Avenue.

For more information on this holiday celebration, call 502-361-6700.

A Glorious Christmas Tour featuring For King & Country and Casting Crowns is coming to Louisville with special guest Rebecca St. James. Celebrate the holiday season with Christmas classics, carols and original songs.

The show is scheduled for Saturday, December 16 at 7:00 PM in Freedom Hall at the Kentucky Exposition center.

Tickets range from $16 to $79 per seat and parking will be $8 per vehicle. Tickets can be purchased at the Kentucky Exposition Center Ticket Office, over the phone by calling 1-800-745-3000 or online at Ticketmaster.

 

WWE’s Smackdown Live is back in the Commonwealth for another round on Tuesday night.  For the first time in nearly six years, a live televised WWE event will be held at Rupp Arena in Lexington.

“It’s great to have WWE back in Kentucky for another live televised show,” said Kentucky Boxing and Wrestling Commission (KBWC) Chairman Chad Miller.  “More shows translate to more dollars for local economies, and the Commission is thrilled that our efforts are paying off for our wrestling fans, athletes, local businesses, and the combat sports industry in Kentucky.”

Since 2016, the Commission has repealed nearly 40 percent of the state’s combat sports regulations as part of Gov. Bevin’s Red Tape Reduction Initiative. The “cut rule,” repealed as part of the initiative, required an athlete to leave a match if he or she bled.  The regulation prevented live televised matches from being held in Kentucky. Since the repeal, WWE has hosted several shows in Kentucky, including a Smackdown Live show earlier this year at the KFC Yum! Center.

“There is no doubt that the growth we are seeing in combat sports is directly tied to a transparent and fair regulatory environment,” added Miller.  “The Commission continues to look for ways to promote efficiency while also ensuring athlete safety.  Athletes can now apply for licenses online, and the Commission has streamlined and repealed approximately 55 percent of the forms an athlete could be required to complete for licensure.  We believe that all of these measures will further a strong combat sports industry in Kentucky.”

As of Oct. 26, Governor Bevin’s Red Tape Reduction Initiative is responsible for repealing 188 regulations and targeting an additional 341 regulations for repeal. Over 2,208 of Kentucky’s 4,700 regulations have been reviewed as part of the initiative. Visit http://redtapereduction.com/ to learn more.

The KBWC oversees all professional boxing, wrestling, and full contact competitive bouts and exhibitions in Kentucky. Learn more about the commission at http://kbwa.ky.gov.

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