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Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Elementary school students at six schools in District 6 will get a special present this year when Councilman David James (D-6) hosts the Winter Wonderland Coat Giveaway on Friday, December 14th.
“Once again, this year we will be able to give warm coats to some students in need to help them stay warm during the winter and achieve great things at school,” says James. “This is the time of year when it is better to give than receive and some great sponsors are helping me achieve that goal.”
On Friday, December 14th, Councilman James will be distributing coats to students who attend Frayser, Englehard, Cochran, McFerran, Wheatly and Brandeis Elementary School at First Gethsemane Center for Family Development, 1221 First Gethsemane Avenue.
The students who have the greatest need were identified through their Jefferson County Public Schools Resource Counselors.
The giveaway was made possible through some very generous sponsors who have helped out at many seasonal District 6 events this year.
Councilman James has partnered with Kosair Charities, AL J Schneider Companies, Toys For Tots and Play Louisville to assist in this year’s program. The Councilman also gives special thanks to UAW Local 862 and Walmart.
“I want to thank all the sponsors who are making sure the children of our area have a nice holiday,” says James. “One of our themes for the Winter Wonderland Coat Giveaway is: The list has been made and checked twice, no naughtiness here, just to be nice!”
The fun begins at 6:00pm on Friday, December 14th.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
For the second year in a row, Councilman David Yates (D-25) is calling upon the community to become part of the spirit of giving. He is collecting NEW coats and jackets to be distributed to children in need throughout our community.
“There are many children in need, that without our help, may not be able to stay warm this winter,” says Yates. “The spirit of giving is throughout our community and I tell anyone who can help us with this cause, now is the time!”
Over the last few months the Councilman has partnered with Shirley’s Way and Khalil’s on Dixie Highway to sponsor coat drives during the Shirley’ Way Queen of Hearts drawing, collecting over 100 New Coats from generous donors throughout our community.
Last year, the effort collected some 300 new coats for children in the Jefferson County School system.
“I encourage all neighbors, neighborhood associations, local businesses, and community organizations to step up and donate,” says Yates.
The Metro Council Coat Drive will culminate during a press conference scheduled Monday, December 17th, at 11:00 AM at City Hall in Council Chambers. During the press conference David would like to recognize all participating businesses and organizations and encourages them to send a representative to speak on their behalf.
South end schools will be present at the press conference collecting coats for students in need specifically identified by school counselors, teachers and staff. All remaining coats will be donated to the Jefferson County Public Schools Clothing Assistance Program to benefit students across the city.
All coats can be dropped off at City Hall, 601 W. Jefferson Street, 40202 or contact Councilman Yates’ office at 574-1125 to request the Councilman’s office pick up your donations.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Councilwoman Mary C. Woolridge will once again bring holiday cheer to the children of District 3 and their families with the Annual District 3 Holiday Party and Toy Give – A – Way set for Saturday, December 15th.
“In all my years on the Metro Council, this event has been one of my favorites to make sure the children of our area have a wonderful Christmas,” says Woolridge. “Our holiday party is designed to make sure no child is forgotten during this season of giving. The holiday season should be a very special time for all of us, children especially needs to enjoy this season.”
The District 3 Holiday Party and Toy Give-A-Way will take place on Saturday, December 15th at the C. E. Kirby Center, 2308 Algonquin Parkway which is adjacent to Southern Star Baptist Church.
The party gets underway from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 PM.
There will be fun, refreshments and entertainment.
Councilwoman Woolridge will have more than 200 toys to be given away along with candy and other items. The party is for children between the ages of three and thirteen. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
“I hope every deserving child in our area will come and join us as we spread joy and some fun during this holiday season,” says Woolridge.
For more information about the Annual District 3 Holiday Party and Toy Give-A-Way, contact Councilwoman Woolridge’s office at 574-1103.
The Louisville Orchestra will present Star Wars: A New Hope In Concert featuring screenings of the complete film with Oscar®-winning composer John Williams’ musical score performed live to the film. The concert will be led by acclaimed conductor Keitaro Harada at the Kentucky Center on Saturday, February 2 at 7:30PM and Sunday, February 3 at 3PM.
Tickets start at $35 and are available by calling 502.584.7777 or visiting LouisvilleOrchestra.org.
Set 30 years after Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: A New Hope, the fourth episode of the saga, starts on the desert planet of Tatooine. A young Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) begins to discover his destiny when, searching for a lost droid, he is saved by reclusive Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness). A civil war rages in the galaxy, and Rebel forces struggle against the evil Galactic Empire, Luke and Obi-Wan enlist the aid of hotshot pilot, Han Solo (Harrison Ford). Joined by the quirky droid duo R2-D2 and C-3PO, the unlikely team sets out to rescue Rebel leader Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and make use of the stolen plans to destroy the Empire’s ultimate weapon.
In a legendary confrontation, the rogue group mounts an attack against the Death Star for a climactic battle with the evil Sith Lord Darth Vader. Since the release of the first Star Wars movie over 40 years ago, the Star Wars saga has had a seismic impact on both cinema and culture, inspiring audiences around the world with its mythic storytelling, captivating characters, groundbreaking special effects and iconic musical scores composed by John Williams. Legendary composer Williams is well known for scoring all eight of the Star Wars saga films to date, beginning with 1977’s Star Wars: A New Hope for which he earned an Academy Award® for Best Original Score. His scores for The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Star Wars: The Last Jedi, were each nominated for Best Original Score.
The Star Wars: Film Concert Series is produced under license by Disney Concerts in association with 20th Century Fox and Warner/Chappell Music. STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. © & TM
Mayor Greg Fischer and other local leaders today reminded families of the many free and low-cost activities to keep students active and engaged during winter break.
Camps, movies, parties and sports clinics are among the dozens of activities available during the Jefferson County Public Schools winter break, Dec. 24-Jan. 4, and throughout the month of December.
“Parents who are looking for affordable, fun and festive ways to celebrate the holidays and keep their kids active during their winter break won’t have far to turn once again this year,” Mayor Fischer said. “We want students to enjoy their time off but also keep their minds sharp and bodies healthy.”
The Mayor spoke alongside Metro Councilman Pat Mulvihill and representatives of Louisville Parks and Recreation, JCPS, the Louisville Free Public Library and the Kentucky Science Center gathered at the Cyril Allgeier Community Center in the Camp Taylor neighborhood.
Louisville Parks and Recreation has published a Holiday Event guide that contains more than 30 events taking place during the month of December at community centers, the city’s two historic homes and more. The season is capped with a free winter break sports camp offered by University of Louisville basketball legend Robbie Valentine at Cyril Allgeier on Jan. 3-4. To register for Valentine’s camp, click here.
Also, The Louisville Free Public Library will offer more than 100 free programs for kids, teens, and families while school is out, including storytimes, crafts, film screenings, games, and more. As always, the library also offers a wide selection of books and DVDs to keep kids reading and entertained during the break—all for free. A complete list of library programs is available at http://www.lfpl.org/events.
The Southwest Regional Library will host the Winter Wonderland Train Show — presented by K & I Model Rail Road Club —Dec. 22-Jan 6. The show is free and open during regular library hours, for more information, click here.
In addition, the Kentucky Science Center is offering day camps for children ages Pre-K through grade 5. Children can attend as many days as they like or just do it a day at a time and learn about coding, robotics, engineering and more. For more information, click here.
The Croghan and Clark families and their friends welcome guests from near and far to Locust Grove for a special one-day only celebration of Christmastide, 1816. On Saturday, December 8, from 12pm to 7pm, Locust Grove will come alive with the sights, sounds, and smells of the season as Locust Grove’s corps of First Person Interpreters bring to life the residents of the historic house, as well as their friends and neighbors. Visitors will have the opportunity to converse with the Croghans about the news of the day—the recent election of James Monroe as the fifth president, the admission of Indiana to the union as the nineteenth state—and learn about life in the 19th century. Guests can join in the dancing and period games, and will have the opportunity to stop in the hearth kitchen to watch meal preparations for the festive occasion.
“Christmastide is a great opportunity to experience Locust Grove as it was alive with friends and family celebrating the season and being together”, says Program Director Brian Cushing. “The craftspeople we have pulled in to show you how the world around them worked in those days really rounds out the experience.”
In the Visitors’ Center, enjoy live music, shop in the museum store, and find gift-quality books for a special holiday edition of Locust Grove’s Used Book Sale. If you’re looking for 19th century gifts for your 21st century life, look no further than the Holiday Artisan Market. Here you’ll find vendors selling period wares, including stoneware, leather goods, textiles, and more. Children will have the opportunity to make period holiday cards and orange and clove pomanders. Christmastide is the perfect time to make a new holiday tradition as you learn about traditions of the past!
Christmastide, 1816 will take place on Saturday, December 8 from 12 pm – 7pm. Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for children, and free for children 6 and under. Locust Grove is located at 561 Blankenbaker Lane (between Brownsboro Road and River Road), Louisville, KY 40207. For more information call 502.897.9845 or visit www.locustgrove.org.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
The holiday season is underway and President David James is once again hosting a special seasonal event for residents of District 6 when the Light up California Holiday Celebration gets underway beginning at 5:00pm on Friday, December 7th.
“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 5:00pm. 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 music, hot apple cider, a bike raffle, and Santa will be there to give out toys.
This year several groups and individuals have joined Councilman James to help spread holiday cheer for children and families in the District. Those sponsors include Kosair Charities, Al Schneider Inc., Play, 7NT Engineering, Henderson’s and Ronaldo Designer Jewelry.
“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 Light up California, please contact Councilman James’ office at 574-1106.
