If you want to be a good neighbor and a good business owner, Councilwoman Madonna Flood (D-24) announces the next South Central Regional Forum will focus on Metro Codes & Regulations on Wednesday, December 20th.
“One of the most confusing issues we have to deal with in Metro Louisville is code enforcement,” says Flood. “Many times property owners and business owners do not fully understand what is expected of them when it comes to property maintenance.”
The forum is set for the new South Central Regional Library at 7400 Jefferson Boulevard from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
Metro Code Enforcement Officers will be on hand to discuss how to follow the local property maintenance ordinances that are on the books in the city. Those ordinances deal with everything from grass cutting to safety issues for the public when it comes to property.
“This is a chance to talk with the people who enforce all of our codes and get a better understanding of how to file a complaint if you have a problem property in your neighborhood,” says Flood.
These forums are sponsored by Councilwoman Flood and Council members James Peden (R-23), Vicki Aubrey Welch (D-13) and Barbara Shanklin (D-2).
For more information about the next South Central Regional Forum, then contact Councilwoman Flood’s office at 574-1124.
Councilwoman Mary C. Woolridge is ready to bring holiday cheer to the children of District 3 and their families with the Annual District 3 Holiday Party and Toy Give – A – Way is set for Saturday, December 16th.
“I look forward every holiday season to making 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 District 3 Holiday Party and Toy Give-A-Way will take place on Saturday, December 16th 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 four 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.
Sometimes the best way to spread holiday cheer is to take a step back into the past when carolers walked the streets bringing the sounds of the season to young and old alike as the community’s way of celebrating the holiday.
Councilwoman Barbara Sexton Smith (D-4) is encouraging everyone who would like to spread holiday cheer to come out for the Christmas Caroling Event set for this Friday December 15th.
“This event is a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season and I know there are folks out there looking for a great opportunity to sing their way through the season,” says Sexton Smith.
The Christmas Caroling Event is sponsored by St. Peter’s United Church of Christ and will begin at 6:00pm.
Here is the route of the carolers:
“This a great time for all of us to gather together and celebrate peace in our neighborhoods and all across our great city,” says Sexton Smith. “Come join us!”
For more information about the Christmas Caroling Event, contact Rev. David Snardon at 502-797-9531.

Photo: Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation
Louisville Parks and Recreation is hosting an open house at the Joe Creason Park administration building, 1297 Trevilian Way, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 19.
“Our department headquarters is a lovely sight to behold during the holiday season,” said Seve Ghose, director of parks and recreation. “We’d like to invite the public to come and see it in person, and also have the opportunity to discuss the issues that they see as important, with our professional staff.”
For the third consecutive year, the department will also be installing a “Wish Tree” in front of the building. In 2015 and 2016, approximately 1,000 visitors hung wishes for their hopes and dreams for the future on the Wish Tree, a 15-foot Dogwood located in front of the building, located off Trevilian Way across from the Louisville Zoo.
A mailbox located adjacent to the tree, holding pencils and tags to be used for the wishes, will be installed by the end of the week. Wishes can be hung at the tree through January 2018.
Also at the open house, the public will have the opportunity to meet several new members of the parks and recreation management team and weigh in on recent discussion topics with Director Ghose, including the department’s attempt to curb vandalism throughout the system and streamline its budget.
Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call (502) 574-7275 or e-mail parks@louisvilleky.gov.
Elementary school students at six schools in District 6 will get a special present this year when Councilman David James (D-6) and his holiday helpers once again host the Winter Wonderland on Friday, December 15th.
“This year we will continue our effort to give warm coats to students in need and help them stay warm during the winter so they can achieve great things at school,” says James. “This is the time of year when it is better to give than receive and I have some great sponsors to help me achieve that goal.”
On Friday, December 15th, Councilman James will be distributing coats to students who attend Frayser, Englehard, Cochran, McFerran, Brandies and Wheatly Elementary Schools 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 and Kohl’s will also be on hand for the distribution. The company is sending some very helpful store elves (employees) to assist. This collaborative effort also includes these additional sponsors: Ronaldo Designer Jewelers, Dr. & Mrs. Thomas and Nancy Woodcock, Bruce Blue, Dr. Alexander Digenis and Emily Digenis, Todd Roman of Play Louisville and Hunter Sattich.
“These sponsors have joined with me to make sure the children in our area that are in need will have a special holiday,” says James. “Our main theme is a special one for the Winter Wonderland: The list has been made and checked twice, no naughtiness here, just to be nice!”
The fun begins at 5:00pm on Friday, December 15th.

Danny Wimmer Presents has announced the 2018 dates for its nationally acclaimed festivals held at Champions Park in Louisville, KY.
The 2nd annual Bourbon & Beyond is set for Saturday, September 22 and Sunday, September 23, 2018. The 5th annual Louder Than Life will be held the following weekend on Saturday, September 29 and Sunday, September 30, 2018.
To celebrate the success of Bourbon & Beyond’s inaugural year, Danny Wimmer Presents has announced a special Early Bird ticket sale now underway for Bourbon & Beyond 2018. A limited number of General Admission Weekend passes are available for $119.50 (matching 2017’s lowest price). Tickets can be purchased online here. Hotel and camping options are also available at www.BourbonAndBeyond.com.
Held on back-to-back weekends, the first-ever Bourbon & Beyond (September 23 & 24) and the fourth annual Louder Than Life (September 30 & October 1) drew a combined 110,000 fans to Champions Park over two consecutive weekends in 2017, with a large percentage of attendees coming from outside of Louisville. Continue reading
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.