The entire family is invited to enjoy a day of fun on the banks of the Ohio River as Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing hosts its 18th annual “Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social,” Sunday, July 14 from 1-5 p.m. 

The historic property is located at 7410 Moorman Road. 

The event features live music by The Rigbys (Beatles Tribute Band), a magic show with Dave Cottrell, and several activities for kids, including miniature train rides, pony rides, and a farm animal petting zoo.  Visitors will also be able to participate in an archaeological dig underway on the Riverside grounds, take tours of the circa 1837 Farnsley-Moremen House, and browse through the Friends of the Southwest Library book sale.

The Cincinnati Buckeyes and the Cincinnati Red Stockings will play an 1860s-style “base ball” game beginning at 1 p.m.

A highlight of the event is the Ice Cream Eating contest. Ten children and six adults will be selected to compete.  Contestants will vie for the “first to finish” award!

Concessions will include:  Ehrler’s ice cream in great old-fashioned ice cream flavors and these food trucks: the Celtic Pig, Livin the Dream and Hot Diggity Dog.

This year, the National Council for Family Learning in partnership with JCPS is hosting a Community Jamboree Tent called “Get the Scoop.” The public is invited to visit booths throughout the tent featuring community resources available to families. The first 1,500 people to tour the Community Jamboree Tent will get a voucher for a free Ehrler’s ice cream sandwich and a free hot dog from the Hot Diggity Dog food truck.

Admission to the event is free–and so are the children’s activities. Donations are encouraged for tours of the historic house.

Entertainment Schedule:        

1:00     The Rigbys     
2:30     Magician David Cottrell
3:00     Ice Cream Eating Contest
4:00     The Rigbys 

For more information: www.riverside-landing.org

The Louisville Metro Animal Services shelter is near maximum capacity, so in an effort to reduce kennel overcrowding, all redemption fees for impounded stray pets at the LMAS shelter are waived for the month of July.

“We always struggle during the summer months and reached capacity a couple of times in June,” said Ozzy Gibson, LMAS shelter Director. “I can’t for the life of me figure out why citizens don’t come and get their pets.”

LMAS makes every effort to prevent shelter overcrowding, but a simple way keep to pets out of the shelter isn’t being fully utilized. A Louisville ordinance requires Jefferson county residents to license their dog or cat with LMAS. 

Many are unaware of the requirement, or that a license could prevent their pet from being impounded, and the fees associated with their stay. Pet licenses can be purchased or renewed at the LMAS Shelter, Animal House Adoption Center, by mail or online.

LMAS also offers vouchers to help pet owners with the cost of spay/neuter surgery, while a number of local animal organizations offer resources for pet owners who need assistance. To view a list of resources such as pet food banks and low-cost veterinary services, click here.

*Amnesty for stray pets at the LMAS Shelter begins July 1st through July 31st. Only pet owners with no previous violations will receive amnesty and court cases are not included.  Owners are still responsible for the cost of microchip, licensing and vaccinations.

Pets can be claimed at the LMAS Shelter, located at 3705 Manslick Road, Monday-Friday 12-6pm; and Saturdays 11-2pm.  

To view all stray pets currently at the LMAS Shelter, click here.

To view a complete list of fees associated with the impoundment of a stray, click here. 

Since January, sixteen businesses have been approved for loans, totaling over $1.25 million, by the Louisville Metro Government’s Department of Economic Development and Office of Resilience and Community Services. The loans will leverage a total investment of more than $1.7 million and will assist the businesses in opening, expanding services, or rehabilitating properties.

Twelve (12) METCO loans, administered through the Department of Economic Development, have been awarded in the first six months of 2019, including these most recent recipients:

• $44,743 midi loan approved for Bourbon Barrel Foods for the purchase of an additional specialized smoker to increase production of its food products and expand its product offerings.
• $100,000 gap loan approved for Mandala House to relocate and expand its offices at 633 Baxter Ave. to accommodate the growing demand for outpatient mental health services. The funding will help Mandala House owners with renovation costs, including flooring, drywall, and furnishings, as well as marketing the new location and recruiting new hires.
• $100,000 façade loan and $50,000 midi loan approved for Sal Properties to renovate properties at 2109-2115 Frankfort Ave.
• $100,000 gap loan approved for LOP Properties for renovations to 2133 W. Market St.
• $50,000 business accelerator loan approved for commercial hauling businesses Blackhaq Enterprise.

Microbusiness Development Program loans, administered through the Office of Resilience and Community Services, have been awarded to the following businesses:

• $5,000 Spark loan to Xtreme Carpet Cleaning for equipment and supplies. Xtreme Carpet Cleaning provides carpet and upholstery cleaning services to residential and commercial customers in Louisville.
• $5,000 Spark loan to Step By Step Family Services LLC for equipment, supplies, and marketing. Located at the Nia Center, 2900 W. Broadway, Step By Step Family Services provides behavioral, mental health services. and case management.
• $5,000 Spark loan to Divine Lash & Beauty LLC for supplies and start-up costs. Divine Lash & Beauty LLC provides eyelash extension services and products.
• $5,000 Spark loan to Malone Step-N-Dance Company for supplies and space costs. Malone Step-N-Dance Company is a youth dance team, and its studio is located at Mellwood Arts Center, 1830 Mellwood Ave.

The Metropolitan Business Development Corporation (METCO) governs metro government’s small business loans and provides financial assistance through commercial loans for new and expanding businesses, including façade, accessibility, and gap financing loans. These loans are evaluated based on project cost and fund availability, with a variety of interest rates depending on the loan program.

The METCO board meets the fourth Thursday of each month. Meetings are held at 9 a.m. at the offices of Louisville Forward, 444 S. 5th St., Suite 600. Upcoming meetings in 2019 include July 25, August 22, September 26, October 24, and December 12.

Louisville Metro’s Microbusiness Development Program helps low- and moderate-income business owners start and grow small businesses. A microbusiness employs five or fewer people, including the owner. The program includes training, technical assistance, and the opportunity to apply for a loan.

The loan program helps businesses owners who need capital as many microbusinesses have little or no access to the commercial banking sector. Loans range from $500 to $15,000, and borrowers have a choice of two programs, one for businesses that have been open for at least one year and one for start-ups.

Olmsted Parks Conservancy is offering free walking tours of Iroquois Park throughout the month of July. Described in its early days as Louisville’s “Yellowstone,” attendees will explore Iroquois Park’s lush landscape fascinating 131-year history in a series of three tours led by Certified Tour Guide and Olmsted Parks Conservancy Park Steward Denise Davis.

On each tour, Davis, who previously gave tours of Central Park in New York, will take guests on a 90-minute journey through the park on paved walkways and natural trails, discussing everything from the illegal purchase of the “Burnt Knob” by Mayor Jacob, to the role the park played in segregation and re-integration of the park system, and finally enjoy park’s unparalleled view of the city from the North Overlook that has inspired artists for over a century.

Tours are offered Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9:30 – 11 AM and are always free to the public. The tour series is included in this year’s cultural pass. Walk ups are welcome, but early registration through Eventbrite is encouraged. Tour descriptions and schedule can be found below.

Iroqouis Park: Jacob’s Folly

• Offered Wednesday, 7/3 & Saturday, 7/6 | 9:30 AM
• Meeting Location: Southern Scenic Overlook
• On this tour, guests will learn about Mayor Jacob’s original (and illegal) purchase of “Burnt Knob” for the city, Frederick Law Olmsted’s vision and design for Louisville’s own “Yellowstone,” and the geological reality that has always affected the experience of our wondrous park. We will begin at the Southern Scenic Overlook, explore the southern part of the loop atop the knob, with a brief venture into Summit Field.

Iroquois Park: Change Abounds – the Park Responds

• Offered Wednesday, 7/10 & Saturday, 7/13 | 9:30 AM
• Meeting location: Play-All Playground (near Amphitheater)
• Constructed in the 19th century, Iroquois Park experienced many changes as Louisville and its people entered and progressed through the 20th century. It is here that the incident which unfortunately led to our parks being officially segregated for over thirty years took place. It’s also here that, decades later, the first all-accessible playground was built in our city. Come hear about and see the physical and social changes present in this beautiful park’s history.

Iroquois Park: The Gift & Curse of Beauty

• Offered Wednesday, 7/17 & Saturday, 7/20 | 9:30 AM
• Meeting Location: Northern Overlook
• On this tour, enter a landscape that has inspired artists. Explore areas around the recently renovated Northern Overlook, discuss the powerful draw of nature and its effects on us and the environment, and learn what it takes to restore, enhance and forever protect such magnificence in our midst.

Join us as we celebrate “Northanger Abbey: Adventure and Romance Unmasked”

Featured speakers:

• Cristina Barreto-Lancaster – “The Good Guide to creating the Perfect Wardrobe. All the answers that every lady needs to know about wearing their clothing & accessories: When, Who, How, Where and Why.”
• Cristina Barreto-Lancaster & Martin Lancaster are the authors of Napoleon and the Empire of Fashion book (out of print, new edition coming).
• Dr. Glynis Ridley, University of Louisville – Isabella Thorpe’s Northanger Abbey: Gothic Plots and Possibilities & Eleanor Tilney’s Northanger Abbey: Histories of England and Empire.

Shop our Regency Emporium and Shoppes of Meryton, promenade with “Catherine Morland and Mrs. Allen in Bath,” encounter His Majesty’s Royal Navy, and dine and dance the night away at our Masque Ball at our new fabulous location, The Pendennis Club.

Also, the Betsy Bashore Regency Fashion Show and Gayle Simmons Regency fashion  display in the Grand Parlor of 1790s Locust Grove, Punch & Judy, Common Stock Entertainment, Lady Caroline Linnington, Sunday morning church services and so much more.

Sponsored by the Jane Austen Society of Greater Louisville,  and held at Locust Grove, 561 Blankenbaker Lane, Louisville, KY

Tours of the house Saturday & Sunday of the festival. Festival hours are 6 p.m. Friday evening until 9 p.m.;  Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Watch our website for updates: www.jasnalouisville.com  On-line advance registration opens June 5th.  Advance reservations for the ball, tea times and workshops are highly recommended because these activities all sell-out before the festival opens. For the entire festival schedule, go to our website: www.jasnalouisville.com

Jane Austen Festival Admission Prices:

Friday, July 12th- Twilight Shopping $10.00 per person (ONLINE and AT THE FESTIVAL), Children under 12 are admitted FREE with an adult

Saturday and Sunday, July 13th and 14th

• One-day pass $18.00 per person (ONLINE DISCOUNTED PRICE UNTIL JULY 1st-AVAILABLE ONLY ONLINE) or $20.00 per person (AT THE FESTIVAL)
• Two-day pass $30.00 per person (ONLINE DISCOUNTED PRICE UNTIL JULY 1st- AVAILABLE ONLY ONLINE)
• Children under 12 are admitted FREE with an adult

Jane Austen Festival Special Event Ticket Prices:

• Four-course Afternoon Tea- $25 per person (plus Festival Admission)
• Children’s Tea on Sunday, July 14th, 4:00-5:00 p.m.- $20 per child (plus Festival admission if over 12 years of age) and $25 per adult attending with the child(ren)

The 2018 festival had a record attendance of 2400+ from 25 states.

Although the 2018 tax filing season has ended, there is still free help available in preparing past due and amended tax returns.  Now through October, the Louisville Asset Building Coalition’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, or VITA, will provide federal and state income tax assistance to income eligible residents who need help filing prior returns. It is also still possible to receive a refund for returns from the years 2016 to 2018 for those who qualify. Taxpayers earning $66,000 or less can make an appointment with a VITA team member by calling (502) 574-5687.

Summer/early fall VITA tax preparation sites are located at the following:

• The Edison Center, 701 W Ormsby, Suite 201, 40203 –  Mondays and Tuesdays, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Louisville Urban League 1535 W Broadway, 40203 – Wednesdays, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. 

Saturday hours are also available on the following dates at the Edison Center:  Aug. 3, Sept. 7 and Oct. 5, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

The IRS lists the following reasons for filing past due returns:

• Avoid interest and penalties File your past due return and pay now to limit interest charges and late payment penalties. 
• Claim a Refund You risk losing your refund if you do not file your return. If you are due a refund for withholding or estimated taxes, you must file your return to claim it within three years of the return due date. The same rule applies to a right to claim tax credits such as the Earned Income Credit.
• Protect Social Security Benefits If you are self-employed and do not file your federal income tax return, any self-employment income you earned will not be reported to the Social Security Administration and you will not receive credits toward Social Security retirement or disability benefits. 
• Avoid Issues Obtaining Loans Loan approvals may be delayed if you do not file your return. Copies of filed tax returns must be submitted to financial institutions, mortgage lenders/brokers, etc., whenever you want to buy or refinance a home, get a loan for a business, or apply for federal aid for higher education.
• If You Owe More Than You Can Pay  If you cannot pay what you owe, you can request an additional 60-120 days to pay your account in full through the Online Payment Agreement Application or by calling 800-829-1040; no user fee will be charged. If you need more time to pay, you can request an installment agreement or you may qualify for an offer in compromise.

Amended tax returns may be necessary if you excluded a source of income when filing your original return, and are required by the IRS to add the additional document. Also taxpayers are often not aware of the credits that they are eligible when they file their original return and in these cases the VITA team can assist them in filing for these credits.  For example, many taxpayers are not aware that educational expenses can be used as a credit in many cases.

Please be sure to bring the following items to your appointment with a VITA representative:

• Social security card for everyone on tax return
• Picture ID for taxpayer and spouse
• W-2 and 1099 from employer
• List of other income/expenses
• 1098 for education credits
• 1095-A for certain healthcare credits
• Blank check or account info for direct deposit
• Savings account and routing numbers if you would like to save a portion of your refund
• Schedule C’s also prepared for self-employment
• For amended returns, a copy of the original tax return. 

“We encourage residents who missed the date to file their tax returns or who have returns that need to be amended to file so that they can claim the refunds and credits for which they are eligible,” said Christopher Murphree, Program Director for the Louisville Asset Building Coalition (LABC) which administers the local VITA program.  “We also encourage taxpayers who believe that they will owe money to file as soon as possible, and we can assist them with setting up a payment plan.”

During the 2018 tax filing season, LABC prepared over 8,200 returns that provided an average refund of $1,638 at nine tax sites in Louisville.

The work of the Louisville Asset Building Coalition (LABC) is funded locally by Louisville Metro Government, Metro United Way and several other partners.  Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services also provides administrative, marketing and technical support, as well as a shared mission to build the financial stability of the residents in our community.

For more information on LABC services, please visit www.labcservices.org.

Afternoon Lecture Series | Jason Hiner: The Burr-Hamilton Duel of 1804
Wednesday, July 3, 1:15 pm

Jason Hiner, Locust Grove first-person interpreter and history aficionado, will tell us about the Hamilton-Burr duel and how it became a gruesome symbol of the bitter and partisan political infighting among America’s founders. This talk explores who Hamilton and Burr were, the different opinions they had about politics and politicians, and why their differences led to a duel that left Hamilton dead and turned America’s Vice-President into an outlaw.

The Locust Grove Afternoon Lecture Series is held the first Wednesday of each month. Dessert and coffee are served at 1:00 pm with the lecture immediately following at 1:15 pm. Admission is $6, $4 for Friends of Historic Locust Grove. Reservations are not required. Part of The Age of Hamilton series at Locust Grove.

Free Independence Day!
Thursday, July 4, 10:00 am – 4:30 pm

FREE TO THE PUBLIC all day! Sponsored by Independence Bank.

Join the Clark and Croghan families as they celebrate Independence Day 1816. General George Rogers Clark’s soldiers return to honor him and all who fought – and you can experience life 200 years ago. Hear readings of the Declaration of Independence throughout the day, and discover the Revolutionary spirit. Food and drink will be offered for sale, or bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the grounds.   We’ll have a small summer-reading book sale, with all books priced at only $2 for hardbacks and $1 for paperbacks.

Additional support sponsored in honor of The Society of the Cincinnati.  

The 11th Annual Jane Austen Festival
Friday, July 12 | 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Saturday, July 13 & Sunday, July 14 | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Celebrating Northanger Abbey: Adventure and Romance Unmasked!

Sponsored by the Jane Austen Society of North America—Greater Louisville Region, the largest Jane Austen event in North America returns to Locust Grove. Throughout the weekend, immerse yourself in the Regency world as you attend presentations by featured speakers and a Regency Style Show under the Big Tent, watch demonstrations of Regency past-times, gain new skills to further your Regency education with our Workshops, delight in Four-Course Afternoon Tea, visit and shop our Regency Emporium and Shoppes of Meryton, and more!

Sponsored by the Jane Austen Society of North America, Greater Louisville Region. Visit www.jasnalouisville.com for more tickets and more information.

Summer Thursday Concert Series: Swing ‘39
Thursday, July 25, 6:30 pm

Our Summer Thursday Concert series brings Kentucky musicians to our gardens! Join us on July 25 at 6:30 pm for gypsy swing with Swing ’39. Following in the musical tradition of Django Reinhardt, Swing ‘39 plays the original compositions of Django and popular tunes by composers such as Cole Porter, Gershwin, and Ellington with an energy that is sassy and lots of fun.

Bring your own blankets and chairs. Performance space, food, and bar open at 6:00 pm; performance begins at 6:30 pm. Admission: $16/$14 for members.

Final weeks!
Special Exhibition
Alexander Hamilton: Immigrant, Patriot, Visionary
Wednesday, May 29 – Friday, July 5

This exhibition from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History examines Hamilton’s central role during the Revolutionary War and Founding period in creating the economic, constitutional, social, journalistic, political, and foreign policy templates for modern America. Using reproductions from the Gilder Lehrman Collection and the Library of the New-York Historical Society, and drawing on recent scholarship about Alexander Hamilton, this traveling exhibition helps students learn that Hamilton was a statesman and visionary whose life shaped the America we live in two hundred years after his death. On view daily: May 29 – July 5, 2019

Locust Grove is located at 561 Blankenbaker Lane (between Brownsboro Road and River Road), Louisville, KY 40207.