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SubscribeCelebrate Valentine’s Day at a Kentucky State Park this year with your special someone! Many parks are offering events and packages in February to help celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Many of the special events at state parks are scheduled for the weekend of Feb. 10-12. Some of the highlights include: a dinner and dance at Kenlake State Resort Park and General Butler State Resort Park, a cruise at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, a prime rib dinner and dance at Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, a murder mystery dinner with costumes at Pine Mountain State Resort Park and special teas at Waveland and White Hall state historic sites on Feb. 14.
State parks provide a great place for a getaway weekend along with excellent food, entertainment, natural beauty and scenery. For a list of events, visit http://parks.ky.gov/valentines-weekend/ For more information about each park, as well as other state park events, visit www.parks.ky.gov
Neighborhood Place sites bring together multiple partners in February to provide opportunities including energy management workshops, a 16-week Diabetes Prevention Program, free dental screenings, an African American Read-In and much more. In addition, the Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place location is collecting new and gently used prom dresses and accessories to benefit high school seniors in the Park Hill neighborhood. To learn more about these services, including reservations requirements and contact info, please refer to the phone numbers listed by each event.
Feb. 1 – March 4, The Parkhill Prom Project at Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place
Located at 1411 Algonquin Pkwy. Call 634-6050 for more information. Jordan Alhimer a Bachelor of Social Work student/intern along with support from ECHO (Exploited Children’s Help Organization) are collecting new and gently used prom dresses, shoes and accessories to help deserving high school senior girls who live in the Parkhill Neighborhood. Drop off donations any weekday between 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Feb. 1 and 15, Legal Aid Office Hours at South Central Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. -12 p.m.
Located at 4255 Hazelwood Ave. Call 485-7130 for more information. A Legal Aid Society staff member will be on hand to answer questions, talk about cases that Legal Aid handles and provide referrals.
Feb. 2, 7, 9, 21 and 23, WeCare Energy Efficiency Overview
Call 1-800-356-5467 for more information. Representatives from the WeCare Program at LG&E will be on hand to talk with interested persons about energy efficiency, energy usage and tips to reduce utility bills. WeCare staff can also help determine if households are eligible for a variety of free services including air duct sealing and insulation, attic and wall insulation, programmable thermostats and much more.
- Feb. 2, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place – Valley, 10200 Dixie Hwy., 10 a.m.- 12 p.m.
- Feb. 7 and 23, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Feb 9 at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Feb 21 at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Two opportunities for the YMCA’s “Caring and Learning with Me” program at Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Located at 1501 Rangeland Rd. Call Kerry Basham 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.
- Mondays/Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Tuesdays/Thursdays, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Feb. 7, Couponing Support Group at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. For more information or to register, call 485-6145. Learn tips and money saving ideas to help build extra financial wealth in using coupons while grocery shopping. Facilitated by coupon guru, Kim Mapp.
Feb. 8, Norton Healthcare Car Seat Check and Fitting Station at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 9 – 11 a.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 629-7358 for an appointment. Learn how to install your child’s car seat or booster seat and find out if it’s time for a change.
Feb. 8 and 9, A Healthy Journey for Two Educational Baby Shower
Call 341-5400 for more information and to register. 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 Centerstone and KIDSNow. Fathers are welcome but must be registered.
- Feb. 8 at Cane Run Neighborhood Place,3410 Lees Ln., 1-3 p.m.
- Feb. 9 at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 1-3 p.m.
Feb. 9, African American Read-In at Southwick Community Center, 6:30 p.m.
Located at 3600 Southern Ave. Call 485-6145 for more information. Celebrate black authors through spoken word, dance and music with a book signing by published authors. Sponsored in part by Ujima Neighborhood Place.
Feb. 9, 21 and 23, Energy Management Workshops
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. Sponsored by Project Warm, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place and First Neighborhood Place.
- Feb. 9 at Southwest Branch Library, 10375 Dixie Highway, 2 – 3:30 p.m. Call 363-1483 to register.
- Feb. 21 at First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Road, 1- 2:30 p.m. Call 313-4700 or 313-4728 to register.
- Feb. 23 at South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 1-2:30 p.m. Call 485-7130 to register.
Feb. 13 and Feb. 16, Fifth Third Bank Financial Empowerment Bus
Call 502/562-5584 for more information. The Fifth Third Financial Empowerment Bus, or eBus, provides a mobile classroom that allows visitors to have credit reports pulled for free and reviewed with a professional; use computers to file taxes; receive internet banking and bill payment demonstrations, utilize the Next Jobs online program; and many other services.
- Feb. 13, NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 4018 W. Market St., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Feb. 16, Charmoli Center Neighborhood Place, 200 Juneau Dr., Ste. 200, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Feb. 14, 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 Special Needs Adoption Program.
Feb. 14, Norton Mobile Unit at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place, Fairdale, KY. Call 502-899-6842 for more information or to make an appointment. The Norton Mobile Unit will offer low/no-cost mammograms and pap smears for women age 40 and over. Must be at least one complete year since the last mammogram, be able to stand unassisted for at least 15 minutes, not have any current issues or undergoing cancer treatment. Insurance will be billed and co-pay may apply- contact your insurance carrier for eligibility. Funding is available for those who are uninsured. Sponsored by Norton Health Care and Family Health Clinic.
Feb. 20 and 21, Free Dental Screenings by Community Dental Care
Call 502-366-4442 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 free dental screenings for children and adults and schedule appointments as necessary. Kindergarten and pre-K children who receive screenings will be provided with a certificate that will meet the school district’s requirement for dental screenings.
- Feb. 20, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place – Fairdale site, 1000 Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 12 p. m.
- Feb. 20, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place – Valley site, 10200 Dixie Highway, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
- Feb. 21, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 1 p.m. -3 p.m.
Feb 21 and Feb 23, Diabetes Self-Management Series at the Charmoli Center Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Located at 200 Juneau Drive, St. 200. Call 574-6663 or 574-6638 for more information. Taught by the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness, the Diabetes Self-Management series will be a two-part series. Whether you are recently diagnosed or have been diabetic for years and need a refresher, this class is for you. Topics covered will include: what is diabetes, glucose monitoring, problem solving, healthy eating, medication management, sick day management, healthy exercise and goal setting.
Feb. 27 – April 17, 4 Your Child – Dads Making the Difference at Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place
Located at 1411 Algonquin Pkwy. For more information and to register, contact Dr. Cheri Langley at (502) 709-9323 or at Cheri.Langley@louisville.edu. “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.
Starting Feb. 28, Diabetes Prevention Program at the Charmoli Center Neighborhood Place, 3- 4 p.m.
Located at 200 Juneau Drive, St. 200. Call 574-6663 or 266-5571 to register. This 16-week program is designed for individuals who are risk of Diabetes offering support to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyle habits. This class will help you lose weight, learn healthier eating habits and increase physical activity. The program is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Sponsored by Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness.
Upcoming Events in March
March 1, Heroin Addiction in “Our Own Backyard”, Part 2 at First Baptist Church, Fairdale, 6 – 8 p.m. Located at 413 Fairdale Rd., Fairdale, KY. Call 363-1483 for more information. This is part two in the “Not in Our Backyard” series of workshops with a focus on Community Resources. Representatives from more than fifteen community agencies will be on hand to speak to individuals one-on-one about services they offer to persons struggling with addiction as well their family and friends. The workshop is an opportunity to gain education about the physical, psychological and addictive effects of the drug. Sponsored in part by South Jefferson Neighborhood Place.
March 4, Home Buyers’ Fair at Bethlehem Baptist Church, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Located at 5708 Preston Highway. Call 363-1483 for more information. If you own a home or are interested in purchasing a home, this is the fair to attend. Businesses will be on hand to provide information and guidance for families and individuals that are first time home buyers, current home owners wanting to relocate or refinance, or home owners facing possible foreclosure. Attendees will be able to speak to banking personal face to face, attend workshops that cover the necessary steps in purchasing a home, learn about funds that are available to help with closing costs, etc. Stop by and find out if you qualify for a reduced home loan. Sponsored by Republic Bank, Louisville Free Public Library as well as South Jefferson, First and Cane Run Neighborhood Places.
Thanks to funding provided by the Kentuckiana Planning and Development Agency, four new classes for senior citizens will be debut this week at the Berrytown Recreation Center, 1300 Heafer Road, near Anchorage.
Classes on line dancing, painting, yard art, and how to live a healthy lifestyle will be offered, beginning this week, on various days. The classes will meet once a week and be free of charge to those 60 year of age or older.
For more information, please see this link or call 502/456-8148 for more details.
It’s often said these are the good old days for deer hunting in Kentucky, but for those of a certain age, or new to hunting, it’s all they have ever known.
The world was tip-toeing into a new millennium the last time Kentucky’s deer harvest did not break 100,000 for a season. The 2016-17 season cleared that mark and surpassed 130,000 for the fifth consecutive season.
Hunters combined to take more than 139,000 deer before the book closed Jan. 16 on one of the three best seasons on record in Kentucky. The only seasons with higher harvest totals were the 2013-14 and 2015-16 seasons.
“We’ve been harvesting a lot of deer and that’s a reflection of how many deer we have on the landscape,” said Gabe Jenkins, big game program coordinator with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “The good thing is our quality is still up. I’ve talked to a lot of folks who saw a lot of nice deer harvested this season.”
The 2015-16 season produced new records at nearly every turn, including the overall harvest record. Archery hunters kept the trend going this past September by starting the 2016-17 season with a record opening weekend.
A slowdown ensued as unseasonably warm temperatures set in. High winds, an ample acorn crop and a full moon added to the challenge for early muzzleloader season in mid-October and the two-day take was down sharply from the previous year.
Cooler temperatures arrived for modern gun season in November and coincided with the peak of breeding activity across the state.
Hunters responded by checking 41,796 deer the first weekend of modern gun season and 102,848 for the modern gun season overall. Both figures were the second highest on record behind the 2015-16 season.
“I think the warm weather possibly shifted some early season hunters to later,” Jenkins said. “I’ll have to look at that when I start digging into the numbers. I would venture to say that a lot of folks who normally take deer in September and October didn’t and waited until November.”
For the first time in 18 seasons, Owen County did not lead the state in the number of deer taken. Pendleton County finished ahead of it.
Harvest totals in the northern Kentucky county have been on the upswing for several seasons, and the recent results bring added attention to the fact. Hunters there reported taking more than 3,200 deer this past season. Owen, Crittenden, Graves and Christian counties completed the top-five.
Hunters took more than 5,500 deer on public lands across the state, according to telecheck harvest results. Two areas of interest entering this past season were Big Rivers WMA and State Forest in Crittenden and Union counties and the new Rolling Fork WMA in Nelson and LaRue counties.
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife debuted a first-of-its-kind quota hunt for archery and crossbow deer hunting this past season at Big Rivers, which expanded in 2016 with the addition of the 841-acre Jenkins-Rich tract in Crittenden County.
“It was a pretty big move for us,” Jenkins said. “When we looked at this one, it wasn’t people shooting five or six deer. It was one person coming and shooting one deer, and it was a lot of people doing that. So it was strictly a numbers game.”
The action achieved the intended result: the deer harvest on Big Rivers was reduced by 38 percent this season.
Rolling Fork WMA came online this past September and allows modern gun hunting for deer. Of the 27 deer taken with a modern gun on the area, 19 were bagged on the more rugged LaRue County side of the property. A total of 32 deer – 15 male, 17 female – were taken on the WMA across all seasons.
Hunters reporting their harvest to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife through the telecheck process this past season were asked for additional information if they were checking male deer with or without antlers. Their answers will help biologists.
“We will be able to get a better feel for age-at-harvest more than we ever have,” Jenkins said. “It will allow us to analyze how we’ve been estimating in the past through our collections in the field compared to what our hunters are reporting. It will be beneficial to make those comparisons.”
Hunters who took a trophy deer this past season are encouraged to submit the necessary information for recognition in the trophy deer list that will appear in the next Kentucky Hunting and Trapping Guide. The deadline for submissions is May 1.
To be eligible, a hunter must have taken a white-tailed deer in Kentucky this past season that net scored 160 or higher typical or net scored 185 or higher non-typical going by the Boone and Crockett scoring system. The completed and signed score sheet along with a photo should be sent to Kentucky Hunting and Trapping Guide, #1 Sportsman’s Lane, Frankfort, KY 40601. Include the county in which the deer was taken and the equipment used to harvest the deer. Emailed submissions to info.center@ky.gov also are accepted.
They are a service organization of dedicated people who every year host a delicious event that helps various programs in the community.
That is why three members of the Louisville Metro Council are encouraging everyone to come out to the Valley Women’s Club Annual Soup Supper and Bake Sale on Friday, February 3rd.
“The Valley Women’s Club began a great tradition with this supper many years ago,” says Councilwoman Cindi Fowler (D-14). “Their work is far reaching in our community and this supper helps them raise the money they need to continue their charity work.”
“Come out for food and fellowship while supporting the Valley Woman’s Club. This group works hard to promote and fund scholarships and other worthy causes,” says Councilwoman Vicki Aubrey Welch (D-13).
“The Valley Women’s Club deserves our thanks for helping people throughout our community,” says President David Yates (D-25). “I encourage everyone to support this great organization. Those who come out to this supper know nothing is better than warm soup on a cold winter night.”
The Annual Soup Supper and Bake Sale will get underway from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the Sun Valley Community Club on Bethany Lane. The menu will include all you can eat assorted soups, cornbread, crackers, dessert and beverages.
Ticket prices are $6.00 for Adults and $4.00 for children 10 and under. Tickets can be purchased at the door.
Florists, hair stylists, photographers, caterers, and the many other types of vendors it takes to make a wedding come to life will gather Sunday, Jan. 22, at the Sawyer Hayes Community Center at E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park to showcase their wares. The event is sponsored by the Louisville Wedding Network.
Anyone interested in these services is encouraged to attend the free, public event, which is slated from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 2201 Lakeland Road in the Louisville park.
The trade show will feature the many types of talent, products and services required to pull off a successful wedding, according to Tiffany Emerson, sales representative for the property.
Sawyer Hayes Community Center is a wedding venue set in 580 acres of parkland that plays host to dozens of local weddings each year, Emerson said.
“We set the stage for the best day of your life and are thrilled to welcome the vendors who are our business partners in this work,” she said.
Ballard High School has inducted its inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame class, recognizing alumni who achieved outstanding accomplishments in their athletic careers or service to the athletic department at Ballard.
The Ballard Bruins Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes graduates and school supporters who are at least 10 years out of high school. In addition to acknowledging athletic success, the award also recognizes recipients’ post-Ballard graduation accomplishments and service.
Inductees include (by graduation year unless otherwise indicated):
- Marty Bailen, was involved in Ballard athletics for more than 40 years in all capacities, including announcer and statistician. The football press box is named after him.
- Pat Crawford, served as Ballard’s first principal, from 1968 to 1985. The football stadium is named after him.
- Allan Houston, 1989, played on Ballard’s 1988 Kentucky state championship team, and went on to play at the University of Tennessee, graduating in 1993 as the school’s all-time leading scorer. He also played for the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks.
- Jeremi Johnson, 1999, rushed for more than 2,000 yards and scored 35 touchdowns his junior and senior seasons. He played football at Indiana University and Western Kentucky University, and was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2003 National Football League draft.
- Jeff Lamp, 1977, was on Ballard’s 1977 state championship basketball team, voted Kentucky Mr. Basketball in 1977, and starred at the University of Virginia. He was selected by the Portland Trailblazers with the number 15 pick in the 1981 draft. He also played for the Milwaukee Bucks, San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers.
- Gary Plock, 1974, was a four-time Kentucky state champion and two-time All American in tennis. He was also an NCAA doubles finalist at the University of Texas, and was elected to the Kentucky Tennis Hall of Fame in 1985.
- Jim Reuther, served as Ballard’s first athletic director. The basketball gymnasium is named after him.
- Sally Sligar, 1975, earned multiple state championships in track and cross country in what were then state record times, and went on to run cross country and track at the University of Tennessee.
- Jeremy Sowers, 2001, threw four no-hitters in high school and led the team to consecutive appearances in the state championship game. Was named the Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year, starred at Vanderbilt Univeristy, and was selected the sixth overall pick in the 2004 Major League Baseball draft.
- Susan Stoddard, 1982, ran track, played volleyball and softball, and excelled in basketball, which she played at the University of Florida.
- Kent Taylor, 1973, held school and regional records in the 2-mile, participated in the 1973 Mason Dixon Games, and went on to run track and cross country at University of North Carolina.
Inductees will be recognized at the Ballard Athletic Hall of Fame banquet which begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14 at the Marriott East Hotel, 1903 Embassy Square Blvd. For ticket information, visit Eventbrite.