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Brightside will hold its fall planting event Saturday, November 4 at the intersection of the Parkland, California and Park Hill neighborhoods. Volunteers will join Brightside, who has partnered with the Division of Community Forestry, The Nature Conservancy, Brown-Forman, and UPS to plant approximately 160 trees on Virginia Avenue and 25th Street.
“Trees are a terrific investment because they have been shown to positively impact the health of our residents, environment and economy,” Mayor Greg Fischer said. “I am glad to see Brightside add to the impact they made with last’s year planting so that once these trees mature, they will see a significant increase in green.”
In addition to improving the overall aesthetics of the surrounding neighborhoods, planting trees improves storm water management, increases property value, reduces urban heat island effect, improves air quality, and lowers energy costs.
“By going out into the community and planting trees, Brightside hopes to start a ripple effect amongst residents,” Brightside Director Gina O’Brien said. “Brightside encourages community members to join in on beautifying their own neighborhood.”
Brightside’s recent plantings, as well as those of other Metro and non-profits partners, have been focused in west Louisville, where an increase in tree canopy is needed. This year’s 160 trees will be planted adjacent to last year’s planting of 120 trees. Brightside also planted 150 trees on West Broadway in 2015 and 80 trees near Chickasaw Park in 2014.
On Saturday, November 4 at 10 a.m., Brightside will meet volunteers at the corner of 26th & Virginia in front of Pleasant View Missionary Baptist Church. A limited supply of shovels and other tools will be provided by Brightside, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own tools. All ages are invited to attend the event.
There is still time for volunteers to register. To register, volunteers can fill out a form at Brightside’s website here: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/brightside/community-wide-planting-day
The North American Championship Rodeo returns to Freedom Hall at the Kentucky Exposition Center Nov. 9-11 for the Great Lakes Circuit Rodeo finals.
The rodeo is held during the North American International Livestock Exposition, with contestants vying for over $80,000 in prizes and the title of Regional Champion. Winners will go on to the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kissimmee, Florida for the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association.
During the North American Championship Rodeo, top cowboys and cowgirls from Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin will compete in a number of events, including:
- Bareback riding
- Bull riding
- Saddle bronc riding
- Steer wrestling
- Team roping
- Women’s barrel racing
- Rodeo clowns
The rodeo will feature special promotions:
- Friday, Nov. 10 – Tough Enough to Wear Pink, fans and contestants are encouraged to wear pink to show support for the fight against breast cancer, a portion of proceeds will be donated to Horses and Hope.
- Saturday, Nov. 11 – Kid’s Cowboy Hat Night, the first 500 children admitted through the front entrance will receive a free straw cowboy hat. Doors open at 6 p.m.
- Veteran’s Day: military members, veterans and first responders can receive 50 percent off their ticket. More information is available at kyvenues.wordpress.com/2017/09/29/celebrate-veteransday-with-our-military-discount.
The show begins at 7:30 p.m. each evening. Admission prices vary:
- Thursday, Nov. 9 $25 for adults $5 for children (ages 2-12)
- Friday, Nov. 10 $30 for adults $10 for children (ages 2-12)
- Saturday, Nov. 11 $32 for adults $10 for children (ages 2-12)
Purchase tickets at the Kentucky Exposition Center Ticket Office, charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or buy online at www.ticketmaster.com. Parking at the Kentucky Exposition Center is $8 per vehicle.
The North American International Livestock Exposition is the largest all-breed, purebred expo in the world and takes place Oct. 31 through Nov. 16, 2017. For more information, visit www.livestockexpo.org.
Attorney General Andy Beshear recently announced his office is returning over $12 million to state and federal Medicaid programs to resolve multistate claims that pharmaceutical company Mylan Inc. violated federal law by knowingly misclassifying EpiPen and EpiPen Jr. as a generic drug to avoid paying higher rebates owed to Medicaid.
Under the $12.2 million Kentucky settlement, $8.5 million will be returned to the federal Medicaid program and $3.7 million will be returned to Kentucky’s Medicaid program.
“Medicaid and its expansion provide a critical service that helps Kentucky’s most vulnerable citizens,” Beshear said. “As Attorney General, I am committed to holding any company that defrauds Medicaid accountable. The actions of companies like Mylan defraud not only the government but the people government serves.”
According to the $465 million nationwide settlement, Mylan demanded massive price increases in the private market while avoiding its corresponding rebate obligations to Medicaid from 2010-2017 by erroneously reporting EpiPen as a generic drug despite the absence of any therapeutically equivalent drugs.
Federal law requires companies of single-source, or brand name, drugs to pay higher rebates to Medicaid.
Beshear’s Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Unit is charged with investigating and prosecuting any health care provider who fraudulently bills or abuses the Medicaid system.
To date, Beshear’s office has obtained settlements that will return over $64 million to taxpayers through recoveries of state and federal Medicaid funds, Medicare funds, and other funds through civil settlements and obligations of criminal restitution.
For more information or to report provider fraud, contact the Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control Division at 877-228-7384.
Photo: LMAS Dog: Aurora
Pay It Forward is paying off for Metro Animal Services and its shelter pets. Hundreds of cats and dogs have been adopted into loving homes for Free since the program began! Pay It Forward relies on donations which allows MAS to waive adoption fees for certain cats and dogs. Below explains how the program works.
What is Pay It Forward Friends of Metro Animal Services, a local non-profit organization, initially donated $1,000 to cover free adoptions. FOMAS raised funds during its first-ever Pet Photos with Santa event at Animal House Adoption Center in 2016. An overwhelming success, the fundraiser paved the way for the first free adoptions of shelter pets. A variety of fundraisers continue to support the program.
How Does It Work Fundraising events and private donations fund Pay It Forward, but money is also raised when puppies and kittens are adopted.
To adopt dogs less than 40 lbs., we ask for a minimum $100 donation. The minimum donation is $25 for kittens under six months of age. Money raised from these donations allows MAS to waive the adoption fee for cats older than 6 months, dogs over 40 lbs., Pit bulls and senior shelter pets. Of course you can donate any amount and Pay it Forward to help cover the cost of future adoptions.
Why You Should Adopt from MAS Adopting instead of shopping saves lives. Shelter adoptions allow MAS to free space for incoming homeless pets so we don’t euthanize because of overcrowding. Shelter adoptions are also much cheaper than going to a breeder or rescue organization. You could easily spend $200 or more on just the adoption. Donations to our Pay it Forward program not only covers the adoption fee, but the cost of spay/neuter surgery, a microchip and all vaccinations. Expect to pay a lot more elsewhere.
What is the Adoption Process While MAS is waiving adoption fees it is not waiving the adoption process. You must fill out an application and be approved before taking home a furry companion! If you would like to adopt, you can view our adoptable pets here or at Animal House Adoption Center (3516 Newburg Rd.) If you’re are still looking after that, come to Metro Animals Services (3705 Manslick Rd.) and PAY IT FORWARD!
Want to help but can’t Adopt We appreciate all donations to keep our Pay it Forward program going and save the lives of shelter pets. You can donate any amount to FOMAS/Pay it Forward. Donate $75 or more and you’ll receive a free t-shirt saying ‘I Paid it Forward’. To make a donation, click here or visit Animal House Adoption Center (3516 Newburg Rd.).
Photo: Veterans Community Alliance of Louisville
Mayor Greg Fischer and the Veterans Community Alliance of Louisville today announced the fourth annual Mayor’s Week of Valor — a series of events to honor and celebrate the contributions and sacrifices of active-duty military, veterans and their families.
Coinciding with Veterans Day, the 2017 Week of Valor will feature 18 educational, patriotic, community or civic events from Saturday through Nov. 18. Citizens are encouraged to recognize, support and honor veterans.
“The Week of Valor is a special and exciting time to focus on contributions veterans make to our community, to educate the public about issues important to veterans, and to bring residents together to celebrate and honor the service of our military veterans,” Mayor Greg Fischer said. “It’s our goal to make Louisville the most supportive and responsive community in the nation for our veterans.”
Events include a Kentucky Veterans of the Year Banquet on Nov. 6 and the World War I 100th Anniversary Tribute Display on Nov. 11.
Also on Saturday, Nov. 11, the city’s Veterans Day Parade will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in downtown Louisville on Main Street, from Third to Sixth streets. The parade welcomes all military personnel and veterans, either in groups or as individuals, to participate. There is no cost to enter; participants are asked to contact louvetparade@gmail.com or 502-297-2143. More information can be found here.
(Full schedule of Week of Valor events)
Also new this year is a free Week of Valor app available for the iPhoneand Android, and supported by the Veterans Community Alliance of Louisville (VCAL).
2017 Week of Valor Events
- Project Hero Cycling Event
- Saturday, Nov. 4 from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Located at the Robley Rex VA Medical Center, 800 Zorn Ave., Louisville, KY 40206. Contact: Crystal Woodard (502)287-5606 or crystalwoodard@va.gov
- 5th Annual Masons in the Military Recognition Event
- Sunday, Nov. 5 from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Located at the African American Heritage Center, 1701 West Muhammad Ali Blvd., Louisville, KY 40203. Contact: Shedrick Jones (502)592-1475 or sjjer@aol.com
- TSES Veteran Job Fair
- Monday, Nov. 6 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Located at the Robley Rex VA Medical Center, 800 Zorn Ave., Louisville, KY 40206. Contact: Stacey Norris (502)287-4230 or stacy.norris@va.gov or visit www.louisville.va.gov
- 2017 Kentucky Veterans of the Year Banquet
- Monday, Nov. 6 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Located at the Brown and Williamson Club, 2800 South Floyd St., Louisville, KY 40209. Tickets are $35. Contact: John Mustain (502) 413- 1250 or jmustain@efky.org or visit www.kentuckyveteransoftheyear.org
- Hosparus Health Veterans Memorial Dedication
- Tuesday, Nov. 7, 1 p.m. Located at 3532 Ephraim McDowell Dr., Louisville, KY 40205. Contact: Gwen Cooper (502)272-7027 or gcooper@hosparus.org
- Student and Alumni Veterans and Military Event
- Wednesday, Nov. 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Located at Bellarmine University, 2001 Newburg Rd… Louisville, KY 40205. Contact: Rick Brown (502)272-7027 or rbrown@bellarmine.edu or visit http://bellarmine.edu
- 2017 Indiana Veterans of the Year Banquet
- Thursday, Nov. 9 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Located at The Grand Theatre, 138 Market St., New Albany 47150. Tickets are $35. Contact: Mike Mustain (502)637-4440 or mike@indianaveteransoftheyear.org or visit www.indianaveteransoftheyear.org
- Be at Ease
- Thursday, Nov. 9 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Located at Tim Faulkner Gallery, 1512 Portland Ave. Louisville, KY 40203. $25 ticket must be purchased ahead of time. Contact: Anressa Collard (812)329-0244 or adressa@dogshelpingheros.org.
- 7th Annual Veterans Day Parade
- Saturday, Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Located on Main Street, from 3rd to 6th St. Contact: Dell Courtney (502) 297-2143 orlouvetparade@gmail.com or visit www.louvetparade.com
- 22 Push-up Challenge
- Saturday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m. Located at Waggener High School, 330 South Hubbards Ln., St. Matthews, KY 20207. Contact: Patty Gregory (502)589-8600 or patty.gregory@centerstone.org or visit www.centerstoneky.org
- Military Appreciation Day
- Saturday, Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Located at VFW Post 2921, 2902 7th Street Rd., Louisville, KY 40216. Contact: John Wingfield (502)381-1621 or cbt91e@yahoo.com
- World War I 100th Anniversary Tribute Display
- Saturday Nov., 11 from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Located at VFW Post 2921, 2902 7th Street Rd., Louisville, KY 40216. Contact: John Wingfield (502)381-1621 or cbt91e@yahoo.com
- Annual Veterans Day Luncheon
- Saturday, Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Located at VFW Post 2921, 2902 7th Street Rd., Louisville, KY 40216. Contact: John Wingfield (502)381-1621 or cbt91e@yahoo.com
- Annual Veterans Day Dance and USO Benefit
- Saturday, Nov. 11 from 5 p.m. to midnight. Located at VFW Post 2921, 2902 7th Street Rd., Louisville, KY 40216. Cost is $5, but military/veterans in uniform enter for free. Contact: John Wingfield (502)381-1621 or cbt91e@yahoo.com
- Churchill Downs Military and Veterans Appreciation Day at the Races
- Saturday, Nov. 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Located at Churchill Downs, 700 Central Ave, Louisville, KY 40208. Admission is free with military ID. Contact: Churchill Downs (502)636-4450 or john.asher@kyderby.com
- 2017 VA Welcome Home Event
- Saturday, Nov. 11 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Located at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium, 2800 South Floyd St., Louisville, KY 40209. Contact: Crystal Woodard (502)287-5606 or crystal.woodard1@va.gov or visit www.louisville.va.gov
- Family, Food & Fellowship Dinner
- Friday, Nov. 17 from 5:40 p.m. to 8 p.m. Located at 4019 Dixie Highway, Louisville, KY 40216. Contact: Chris Johnson (502)222-3477 or csncfj05@aol.com or visit www.mentalhealth.com
- The Middletown 2nd Annual Night of Heroes
- Saturday, Nov. 18 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Located at the Jeffersontown Community Center, 10617 Taylorsville Rd., Louisville, KY 40299. Cost is $20 per person. Contact: middletownchamberofcommerce@yahoo.com
The Mayor’s Week of Valor is supported by the Veterans Community Alliance of Louisville (VCAL). VCAL is an initiative launched in 2014 by a group of young professionals participating in Leadership Louisville’s IGNITE program in conjunction with Volunteers of America of Kentucky and Seven Counties Services. Now operating with an advisory board comprised of more than two dozen individuals representing corporate, non-profit, government and civic organizations, VCAL’s mission is to create an integrated network of support for veterans and their families by coordinating services, resources and initiatives to increase communication across organizational lines, enhance quality and delivery of service and promote veteran-friendly community relations in Louisville.
To learn more about Mayor’s Week of Valor events and the Veterans Community Alliance of Louisville, visit www.vcalouisville.org.
Starbucks unveiled their 2017 holiday cups yesterday and fans of the annually-changing designs may have noticed something missing: color!
Since 1997, the Seattle based coffee giant has welcomed the holiday season with a cheerfully themed red cup. Now, after 20 years, this season’s cup has arrived nearly colorless.
The 2017 Starbucks holiday cup still features a seasonally themed illustration complete with a Christmas tree, a stack of gifts, clasped hands, hearts, stars, peace doves, ornaments, snowflakes, hot cocoa, and more. The design has some basic colors, a few red parts and the company’s signature green on their logo, but a Starbucks representative said that the line-art cup was intended to allow people to add their own color to their cup.
Perhaps meant to capitalize on the recent adult coloring craze, or to spark creativity among their caffeinated customers, or maybe just to save money on ink, the design captures the spirit of the holiday season while, hopefully, avoiding some of the controversy that the chain has endured on social media in previous years for swinging too far into the politically correct camp with their cups.
Two years ago, the company faced backlash after trying to avoid the “Happy Holidays” vs “Merry Christmas” type of holiday havoc by releasing plain red cups to mark the season. Last year, they went the opposite direction by releasing more than a dozen holiday themed designs inspired by customer creations.
Along with the DIY artwork cup this season comes the “Give Good” sleeve to protect hands from the hot contents. This slogan encompases the theme for this year’s holiday campaign, which Starbucks executive creative director, Leanne Fremar, says “as small as someone opening the door for you, or recognizing the people that enrich your life – your child’s teacher, a caregiver, a family friend.” Fremar continued, “the holidays are a time to celebrate all the good we give to each other and our community.”
The Give Good campaign site reads
Hold the door for someone,
connect over coffee,
say “hi” to a stranger,
give perfect gifts
to the ones you love.
And once good starts,
it keeps going and growing
from one person to the next –
simple acts of kindness
that touch the lives of many.
Because good is contagious,
and giving is too.
Each year shoppers look forward to the North American Marketplace, which takes place exclusively during the North American International Livestock Exposition. The marketplace is located in the North Wing of the Kentucky Exposition Center and is open daily Nov. 4-9 and 12-16 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. There are extended hours Nov. 10-11 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The North American Marketplace features more than 200,000 square feet of exhibit space and 200 vendors offering clothing, belt buckles, sweets, cowboy hats, arts and crafts, books, musical instruments, handcrafted furniture and jewelry. “Cowgirl chic” boutiques with the latest trends in western-style clothing and accessories round out the shopping experience.
All the latest products related to showing livestock are also available, including specialized vehicle trailers for transporting animals and livestock gear, such as bridles and saddles.
When it’s time to take a break from shopping, the food court offers something to tempt everyone’s taste buds – from pizza to pork chops.
Two other popular stops in the North Wing include:
- Art of Wool showcase, featuring displays and demonstrations by crafters, explains how wool goes from sheep to shawl.
- Children’s Barnyard provides opportunities for guests to interact with rabbits, mini-horses, lambs, newly-hatched ducklings and other baby animals.
North American Marketplace shoppers and expo visitors receive free admission and parking Nov. 7-8. All other days, admission to NAILE is $6 for adults and $3 for seniors (55 and older) and children (ages 2-12); parking is $8 daily.
The North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) is the largest all-breed, purebred livestock expo in the world and runs Oct. 31-Nov. 16 throughout the Kentucky Exposition Center.
For more information, visit www.livestockexpo.org.
