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Butterflies n’ Blooms culminates with the tagging of over 1,000 monarch butterflies for release at Flutter Fest on Sept. 22 brought to you in partnership with Louisville’s Idlewild Butterfly Farm. This release coincides with the annual migration of monarch butterflies.

Activities starting at 10 a.m. will include:

  • Craft and activity stations: Children of all ages can play games and make crafts while learning more about monarchs and their long journey.
  • Education stations: Visit stations to learn the importance of pollinators and what you can do to help them.
  • Storytime plus Meet and Greet The Very Hungry Caterpillar: Hear the beloved tale of a particularly hungry caterpillar and meet The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
  • Butterfly Talks and Release: Join us at 2 p.m. as butterfly expert Blair Leano-Helvey gives a talk on the importance of pollinators like monarch butterflies. Then watch as the sky fills with butterflies during the release of over 1,000 tagged monarchs.
  • Pollinator Parade:  Kids can join our special pollinator parade following the butterfly release at 2 p.m. If you don’t have your own wings, our gift shop has butterfly wings available for purchase.

There will be special plant sales from our Butterfly partner, Idlewild Butterfly Farm.

The Louisville Zoo, a nonprofit organization and state zoo of Kentucky, is dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation education. The Zoo is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

The Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium at the University of Louisville is holding a moonshine cocktail contest in advance of its October fundraiser, the Moonshine Mash Bash.

Anyone 21 years or older may enter the contest, which must feature a cocktail made using Jeptha Creed Original Moonshine. Spirits from Jeptha Creed, a family-owned craft distillery in Shelbyville, will be featured at an Oct. 19 fundraiser at the planetarium that celebrates the grand opening of the new Mary Ann Russell Science Education Exhibit featuring the moon. The winning cocktail will be served at the event.

Cocktail recipes must be submitted by Sept. 24 at 3 p.m. to planet@louisville.edu. Three finalists will compete in person Oct. 8, 1 p.m., at the planetarium. The media is welcome to attend the Oct. 8 event.   Continue reading

Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon 2017

Runners mark your calendars! Registration for the 2019 Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon and Marathon presented by Humana opens on Wednesday, September 12, at 9:00 a.m. EST.  The Festival is kicking off registration at DerbyFestivalMarathon.com with 24 hours of deals which include: the lowest prices of the season, discounted VIP rates and deals on race gear. Plus, the Festival’s Race Referral Program returns, which could earn runners free registration for the 2019 event. Runners mark your calendars! Registration for the 2019 Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon and Marathon presented by Humana opens on Wednesday, September 12, at 9:00 a.m. EST.  The Festival is kicking off registration at DerbyFestivalMarathon.com with 24 hours of deals which include: the lowest prices of the season, discounted VIP rates and deals on race gear. Plus, the Festival’s Race Referral Program returns, which could earn runners free registration for the 2019 event.

Said Shanna Ward, Race Director, “Runners looking for the best deals, will want to register during the first 24 hours. It will guarantee their spot in the 2019 race and get them the lowest rates for next year’s event.”   Continue reading

The second-annual “Family Kite Festival” will take place on the grounds of the historic home and farm, located in southwest Louisville at 7410 Moorman Road. Admission to the Kite Festival is free, although concessions will be offered for sale. The first 300 children in attendance at the festival will receive a free kite. Activities include performances from the Chicago Kite Team and Pigs Aloft Stationary Kites; stilt walkers; bubble making, kite making, jugglers, children’s games and complimentary tours (donations accepted) of the Farnsley-Moremen House. The LMPD display helicopter will also be at the festival for kids to enjoy.

“The Family Kite Festival is quickly becoming a tradition in its second year at Riverside, one of the true gems in beautiful southwest Louisville. Last year, several hundred children attended and we’re hoping to see more smiling faces on the banks of the Ohio once again this year,” said Mayor Greg Fischer.

“This is a unique event for Louisville and we hope it becomes a popular tradition for years to come,” said Seve Ghose, Director of Parks and Recreation. “It should be a lot of fun for the entire family, whether you’re an experienced kite maker or just interested in trying out something new.”

“I’m excited to have the kite festival back for a second year at the lovely Riverside, the Farnsley-Moreman Landing. This will be a great event for young and old alike. Please plan on attending this free event on September 16,” said Councilwoman Cindi Fowler, who represents District 14 in southwest Louisville.

Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing is celebrating its 25th anniversary of public ownership this year. It exists to promote, preserve, restore and interpret historic farm life on the Ohio River. Standing atop a gentle rise overlooking the Ohio River, the Farnsley-Moremen House is the centerpiece of a 300-acre historic site in Louisville, Kentucky, called Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing. Built circa 1837, the house stands as a testament to the important role agriculture along the river played in the development of our country.

Bourbon & Beyond music festival has launched a new mobile app to use at the second annual festival at Champions Park Saturday, September 22 and Sunday, September 23. Through the app, attendees can build their own schedule, learn more about the artists and personalities appearing at the festival and get the latest must-know information through push notifications. The app is available to download through the Google Play and Apple stores.

The schedule of events for Bourbon & Beyond has been announced offering a weekend of bourbon, area food and music assembled by festival producers Danny Wimmer Presents along with local culinary curator Edward Lee and bourbon curator Fred Minnick.

In addition to sets from Sting, Robert Plant And The Sensational Space Shifters, John Mayer, Lenny Kravitz, Counting Crows and David Byrne and many more on three stages, there are workshops from the many distilleries present at the festival, plus demos from culinary experts Tom Colicchio, Stephanie Izard, Aarón Sánchez and Ray Garcia on The Mash Stage.

Band performance times and the schedule for bourbon workshops and culinary demos are as follows (subject to change):   Continue reading

Mecum Auctions, the world’s largest collector-car auction company, returns to Louisville to sell an estimated 600 American muscle car, classic, Corvette, hot rod, Resto Mod, and more. There will also be a free muscle car thrill ride experience where guests can ride along with a trained driver on a closed course.

The event starts at 10AM this Friday and Saturday in the Kentucky Exposition Center. Admission is $30 per day (Children 12 and younger are admitted free). As always, parking for the Exposition Center is $10 per vehicle or $20 per bus. More information can be found online at the Mecum website.

Photo: Neighborhood Place

Neighborhood Place partners offer a variety of health-focused events and services in September including a healthy cooking class, a Diabetes management class, an educational baby shower and an opportunity to learn Mindfulness techniques.  For more details about these offerings and several others please refer to the list below.

Sept 4, FedEx Ground Employment Opportunities at First Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. 
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd.  Call (502) 313-4700 for more information.  A FedEx human resources recruiter will talk one-on-one with individuals interested in a career as a Package Handler with FedEx Ground.

Sept. 4, Car Seat Safety Check at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 9 – 11 a.m. 
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave.  Call Norton Children’s Hospital at 629-7358 to make an appointment.  Learn how to install your child’s car seat or booster seat. It’s estimated that eight out of ten seats are not used correctly. Car seat-fitting by appointment only.

Tuesdays, Now through Oct. 2, Healthier Meals, Healthier Me Class at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place.  Registrations is required by calling 772-8588. Come and learn more about healthy eating, meal planning on a budget and more.  Persons can still attend without a reservation, but will not be able to earn a slow-cooker.

Sept. 6, Basic Diabetes Self-Management Class at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave.  Registration are required by calling 574-6663.  Whether you are recently diagnosed or have had diabetes for years and need a refresher, this session is for you.  Topics include what diabetes is and is not, glucose monitoring, problem solving, healthy eating, medication management, sick day management, healthy exercise, goal setting, and more.  Sponsored by Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness.

Sept. 6 and 10, Sodexo Hiring Opportunities at two locations
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.

  • Sept. 6, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Road (T.J. Middle School in the W.D. Bruce Building – door #24), 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Call 313-4700 for more information
  • Sept. 10, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Sept 6, A Healthy Journey for Two Educational Baby Shower at First Neighborhood Place, 1 – 3 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd. A Healthy Journey for Two is an educational baby shower open to any expectant mothers.  Contact Mendy Mason at 341-5400 to register and for more information.  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.

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.

Sept 10, 12, 17, 20 and 28, Passport Health Care Community Engagement at multiple locations 
Passport Members are invited to join with representatives from Passport Health Care for one-on-one consultations to discuss plan benefits and options.   This is a great opportunity as Passport aims to raise awareness and educate the community about the Passport Health Plan mission.  Passport members will receive a $10 retail gift card for attending.

  • Sept, 10 and 17, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd (door #16) side of Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Call (502) 212-6677 for more information.
  • Sept. 12, Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.  Call 485-6710 for more information.
  • Sept. 20, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 1000 Neighborhood Place, 1 – 2 p.m.  Call 313-4635 for more information.
  • Sept. 28, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 2 – 3 p.m.

Tuesdays, Sept. 11 – Oct., 2, Learn Mindfulness Workshop at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 1 – 2 p.m.
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place.  For more information or registration call Polly Mayer at 363-1483.
Four, one-hour classes that will help you gain insights and techniques to build your own meditation practice, discover your interior stillness, and learn positive coping skills rooted in kindness and compassion.  Classes are offered by the Passionist Earth and Spirit Center and the Mindfulness Mentors.

Sept. 11, Free Blood Pressure Screenings at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 485-6145 for more information. Louisville Metro Health and Wellness health educators will provide free blood pressure screenings and health information.

Sept. 11, 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.

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