The first public meeting will be held July 11 to collect public input to a project aimed at updating the Eastern Parkway corridor between Cherokee Park and Crittenden Drive to make it safer and more user friendly to motorists, transit users, pedestrians and bicyclists while improving drainage and landscaping.

The Eastern Parkway Transportation Study is being funded through a $500,000 federal Transportation Alternatives Program grant awarded to Louisville in 2017 and matched with Kentucky Transportation Cabinet toll credits. The study will consider such elements as sidewalk and curb improvements, shared use pedestrian paths, bike connectivity and other complete streets alternatives aimed at accommodating the transportation modes of all users of the corridor.

Frederick Law Olmstead’s firm designed Eastern Parkway more than 100 years ago as a recreational traffic link to one of Louisville’s biggest parks. That design did not contemplate what is now up to 17,000 motorists using the road each day along with the walkers and bicyclists.

The study is aimed at updating the parkway to better accommodate all modern users while being respectful of the original parkway characteristics. Completion of the study is anticipated in the summer of 2020. It will include recommendations on design elements and associated cost estimates. The Gresham Smith engineering and design firm is leading the study under the direction of Public Works project manager John Swintosky.

Public meeting will be:

• July 11, 2019
• 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Audubon Traditional Elementary School Gymnasium
• 1051 Hess Lane
• Louisville KY 40217

Each month, Neighborhood Place partners provide numerous events and resources to benefit the entire family.  Activities in July include the series “Supporting the Black Family: Mental Wellness Workshop”; several employment hiring events, two back to school events and more. To learn more about these offerings, please refer to the list below.

July 1 and 15, Kentucky Health Career Center at two locations
Looking for a job in healthcare?  Kentucky Health Care Center can help with career assessments, training funds, job leads and referrals.  A representative from the Kentucky Health Career Center will be on hand to discuss the multiple opportunities the Center can office.   Call 574-3344 for more information. 

• July 1, Charmoli Neighborhood Place, 200 Juneau Drive, Suite 200., 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• July 15, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

July 2, 9, 18 and 26, Passport Health Care Community Engagement at multiple locations

Call 1-800-578-0603 to RSVP and for more information.  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.

• July 2, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd (door #16) side of Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 9 – 11 a.m.
• July 9, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd (door #16) side of Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 9 – 11 a.m.
• July 9, Northwest Neighborhood Place, 4018 West Market St. on the Market St. side of the Academy at Shawnee, 10:30  m. – 12 p.m.
• July 18, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 1000 Neighborhood Place 2 – 3 p.m.
• July 26, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 2- 3 p.m.

July 9 and Aug 1, U.S. Census Bureau’s Hiring Event at First Neighborhood Place, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Located at Rangeland Road (T.J. Middle School in the W.D. Bruce Building – door #24).  Call 313-4700 for  more information.  A U.S. Census Bureau’s representative will be available to share information about the hundreds of entry-level office and warehouse clerks employment opportunities for the Jeffersonville location.National Processing Center (NPC) is the U.S. Census Bureau’s primary center for mail processing, survey processing, data capture, imaging/scanning and warehouse operations. NPC recently increased the starting hourly pay rate for entry level clerks to $14.54 per hour.

July 11, July 18 and July 25, Supporting the Black Family: Mental Wellness Workshop at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 5 – 7 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave.  For more information or to reserve your spot, call 354-8424 or email theglamnetwork18@gmail.  In recognition of Minority Mental Health Month, this series features three workshops which include: 1) “I did not ask to be here!”, a parent workshop centered on the development of children and how adverse childhood experiences affect their health; 2) “This mama is tired!”, a women’s workshop exploring the self-worth of being the nurturer of the family; and 3) “Brother are you alright?”, a men’s workshop exploring what it is like to live in a society where being vulnerable is identified as weakness.  Light refreshments will be served.  Presented by Ujima Neighborhood Place Community Council and The Girls Living Above Mediocrity Network.

July 11, A Healthy Journey for Two Educational Baby Shower at First Neighborhood Place, 1- 3 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd. For more information or to RSVP, contact Mendy Mason at 502-341-5400.   A Healthy Journey for Two is an educational baby shower open to any expectant mothers.  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.

July 11, The Center for Women and Families Outreach at First Neighborhood Place, 1- 4:30 p.m. 
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd (door #24) side of Thomas Jefferson Middle School.  For more information, contact Nayelyi Sanchez, Domestic Violence Advocate at (502) 581-7270. Staff with the Center for Women and Families will be on-hand to give an overview of their services which include trauma-informed advocacy and support for qualified families and individuals with supportive services; emergency shelter; sexual assault services; housing; children’s services and more.

July 16, Family Scholar House HEROES Community Outreach at NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 9 – 11 a.m.
Located at 4018 W. Market St.  Call 485-7230 for more information.  The Family Scholar House has launched a new initiative aimed at community collective data focused on three areas:  Food Security, Social Connection and Post-Secondary Attainment.  To participate or learn more about this initiative, please visit their outreach table in the lobby.

July 18, Sodexo Hiring Opportunities at First Neighborhood Place, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Located at 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.  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. 

July 20, Back to School Festival at Westport Middle School, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 8100 Westport Rd.  For more information call 574-6638.  This event is open to families with children in kindergarten through high school.  Free backpacks with essential school supplies will be distributed while supplies last. Presenters and vendors will be at the event to provide information to families plus mascots and other fun for kids.  The JCPS Lunch Bus will provide lunch for kids present and Sparkle and Shine Family Dental will provide dental screenings f.  Families may complete a CAP referral during the event as well for clothing and uniform assistance. Sponsored by Charmoli Center Neighborhood Place, area JCPS schools, and Eastern Area Community Ministry.

July 25, Back to School Festival at Valley High School, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 10200 Dixie Highway.  For more information call 363-1483. This annual event is open to families with children in kindergarten through high school.  School supplies and backpacks will be provided while supplies last to families that participate in three, ten-minute “mini-trainings”. Over twenty presenters and more than forty vendors will be at the event plus mascots and lots of hands on fun to help everyone “Unlock Your Superhero Powers”.  Sponsored by South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, Cane Run Neighborhood Place, area JCPS Family Resource and Youth Services Centers, Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services, South Jefferson Community Partnership, Drug-Free Communities Grant, Kidz Club, Kosair Charities, and Fairdale Christian Church.

July 31, A Healthier Family for the New School Year at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave.  For more information and to reserve your spot, call 313-4635. Come learn and discuss some back to school health tips and ways to keep your family happy and healthy the entire year. Light refreshments will be served.  Presentation by Passport Health Plan.

The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness and its community partners are offering free stop smoking classes using the American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking® (FFS) program.  The 8-session program includes weekly support group meetings combined with the use of nicotine replacement products such as patches and gum. Participants receive free supplies of nicotine replacement products.

Advance registration for Freedom From Smoking® classes is required.  There are several ways to register:

• By phone at 574–STOP (574-7867).
• Or send us a note online.

Below is a list of upcoming classes:

When Kentucky’s new Pregnant Workers Act goes into effect this week, our state will be taking a huge step toward improving birth outcomes and children’s health, by guaranteeing reasonable workplace accommodations for pregnant workers and those who have recently given birth

Maternal health is crucial to the future health and success of a woman’s child. Babies born prematurely or at low birth weights are at much greater risk for chronic health conditions that can impact them throughout their lives, including heart disease and diabetes, as well as the ability to concentrate and thrive academically.

The relationship between the working environment and its impact on pregnancy is significant.  According to 2013 U.S. Census data, 62 percent of women were working while they carried their developing child.

Our Center for Health Equity conducted a Health Impact Assessment on the Kentucky Pregnant Workers Act when it was introduced.  A Health impact Assessment is a process that brings together scientific data, health expertise and public input to identify potential health effects of proposed laws and regulations, programs, and projects.

We spoke with stakeholders and conducted a comprehensive review of existing data on the health impacts of working while pregnant to provide a more thorough understanding of how certain work environments can impact health. We also looked at evidence for the types of accommodations that can be made to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes for pregnant workers and their developing children.

What the evidence proved is that making reasonable accommodations in the workplace can improve birth outcomes and help infants flourish.  For example:

• Reducing heavy lifting, bending or standing can prevent pre-term birth.
• Reducing exposure to continuously loud noises may prevent hearing loss in infants.
• Allowing a pregnant mom consistent access to water helps her maintain a healthy pregnancy.
• Providing a safe, private space for a postpartum mom to pump breastmilk helps her prevent mastitis and ensures a healthy flow of the most nutritious food source possible.

The ability to maintain employment during pregnancy is critical for the health and wellbeing of a mother and her developing child. Income provides for food, housing, and access to health care. Allowing pregnant workers to request reasonable accommodations for the physical transitions of pregnancy can both help alleviate health concerns and allow pregnant workers to continue earning an income during this important stage of life.

The Kentucky Pregnant Workers Act helps to ensure that any woman can work to support her family without risking the health of her pregnancy and developing child. Workers and employers who want to learn more about the Kentucky Pregnant Workers Act can find a helpful fact sheet here.

The Kentucky State Fair announced GenCanna as the presenting sponsor of this year’s summer celebration as well as the lineup of Texas Roadhouse Concert Series.

“The state fair is all about two things GenCanna cares deeply about- Kentucky and agriculture,” said Matty Mangone-Miranda, CEO of GenCanna. “Hemp production, both in agriculture and science, has a promising future in Kentucky. We’re proud to help showcase the great work done here in the Commonwealth as the presenting sponsor of the 2019 Kentucky State Fair.”

“Through partnerships with successful Kentucky-based businesses like GenCanna and Texas Roadhouse, we’ll be able to make the 2019 Kentucky State Fair a wonderful experience to remember,” said David S. Beck, President and CEO of Kentucky Venues.

Held August 15-25 during the Kentucky State Fair presented by GenCanna, the Texas Roadhouse Concert Series features a wide range of musical artists with a different concert every night, for a total of 26 bands. This year all concerts are free with paid gate admission.

The Texas Roadhouse Concert Series Line-up Is:

• Thursday, August 15th
  • Montgomery Gentry, featuring Eddie Montgomery with special guests Exile and Layla Spring
• Friday, August 16th
  • Sheila E
• Saturday, August 17th
  • Black Stone Cherry, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown, and The Josephines
• Sunday, August 18th
  • The Oak Ridge Boys with special guest Lee Greenwood
• Monday, August 19th
  • for KING & COUNTRY with special guest Young Escape
• Tuesday, August 20th
  • Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone with special guests Gary Lewis and the Playboys and Mitch Ryder
• Wednesday, August 21
  • Granger Smith featuring Earl Dibbles Jr. with special guest Brandon Lay
• Thursday, August 22nd
  • lovelytheband with special guest The Mowgli’s
• Friday, August 23rd
  • Dylan Scott and Mitchell Tenpenny with special guest Jake Rose
• Saturday, August 24th
  • Vince Neil of Motley Crue with special guest KIX
• Sunday, August 25th
  • Lauren Daigle with special guest AHI

The week that started off extremely wet turned out beautiful for Championship matches held on Thursday at Iroquois Golf Course.  Great spirit and sportsmanship came to a conclusion with Joe Benton of Estill County defeating Andreas Olsen from Louisville Trinity High School 5&4 in the 36-hole Boys Championship match.  Jenna Estravillo defeated Matti Spalding impressively 9&8 in the Girls Championship Flight.  For the 11 & Under Boys/Girls division Championship Flight, Luc Kelty defeated Jace Wilder 5&4.  The 12/13 Boys/Girls Championship Flight winner was Landon Stillwell who defeated Jack Talbott 3&2.  

Other Flight winners and runner-ups were:

Girls Consolation Flight
Isabella Wiley def.  Emma Lindemoen

Boys Consolation Flight
Micah Bertram def. Miles Parraco

Boys First Flight
Coby Johnson def.  Ryan Johnson

Boys Second Flight
Jake Leonberger def. Kade Benton

Boys Third Flight
Eli Beck def. Drew Johnson

11 & under Boys/Girls First Flight
Dylan Logsdon def. Finn Johnson

12/13 Boys/Girls First Flight
Abigail Deerr def.  William Frazure

The Ohio River will come alive with fireworks and fun on Saturday, June 29th at the Riverview Independence Festival presented by Brown-Forman and Kosair Charities.

The celebration will be a day of music, entertainment, and family fun in the beautiful southwest park along the Ohio River and this year features a fantastic musical lineup and an expanded kids’ activity area! At night, patriotic sounds and spectacular lights of fireworks will emanate from a barge on the Ohio River for a stunning display with a picturesque backdrop.

“I am excited for the Southwest to host what has become an Independence Holiday tradition in our community,” said Blackwell. “The Riverview Festival is the perfect way to start your holiday weekend, with thousands of your friends and neighbors enjoying music, family fun, and fireworks together.”      

The Riverview Independence Festival will begin at 5:00 pm and will cap off with the Fireworks show at 10:00 pm.

“Brown-Forman is proud to continue our support of the Riverview Independence Festival. We look forward to the continued growth and success of this beloved Southwest tradition,” says Carly Launius, Community Relations Manager for Brown-Forman.

“This annual festival brings families together, and allows kids to be kids,” said Keith Inman, President of Kosair Charities. “We are thrilled to help present an event that aligns so closely with our mission and connects our community.”

Rising country music star Stephanie Quayle will headline the Festival Stage. Stephanie offers a fresh sound, and relatable storylines that is unmatched in today’s country music scene. Returning this year is up-and-coming country musician Shane Dawson. Local group Long Lost Country will round out this year’s lineup featuring classic country and honky-tonk hits.

This free community event has a day of fun for the whole family. The highlights of this year’s festival include:

• WAVE 3’s Dawne Gee and Tawana Andrews as emcee the events
• Kids can enjoy outdoor adventure activities from the Jefferson Memorial Forest ECHO Mobile and a 24 foot Rock Climbing Wall
• Mingle and take pictures with the Squallis Puppeteers and Louisville League of Mascots
• Make giant bubbles with Enchanted Rainbow Bubbles
• WUOL’s 90.5 Classical Corner with Jecorey Arthur for a hands-on experience with classical music
• Patriotic Photo Area with red, white and blue accessories
• Beat the heat with the Riverview Spray Ground and refillable water station
• Enjoy food from Pollo Food Truck, Sivori Fair Foods, and Ehrler’s Ice Cream

Limited parking is available at the event site. Additional parking will be available at LG&E, located at 7301 Distribution Drive. A shuttle service from the LG&E lot to the park will be provided by TARC for attendees from 5:00 to 10:45 pm.

Joining Blackwell as Metro Council sponsors are Cindi Fowler (D-14), David Yates (D-25), Mark Fox (D-13), Kevin Triplett (D-13), Madonna Flood (D-24), Pat Mulvihill (D-10), Jessica Green (D-1), James Peden (R-23) and Anthony Piagentini (D-19).

“This southwest tradition would not be possible without the partnership from our community sponsors. We are thrilled that Brown-Forman and Kosair Charities have returned as Presenting Sponsors for this year’s event and are thankful to all of the businesses that have invested in this event and our southwest community,” says Blackwell.

Brown-Forman and Kosair Charities have returned as Presenting Stars & Stripes Sponsors of the event. WAVE3 News, Q103.1, Café Press and LG&E are supporting as Proud Patriot Sponsors. We are proud to have Horseshoe Southern Casino, Signarama Dixie, Beacon Federal Credit Union and Owen Funeral Home as Red, White & Blue Sponsors.

To see a listing of all the events for the 8th  Annual Riverview Park Independence Festival presented by Brown-Forman and Kosair Charities, visit www.RiverviewFestival.com or follow the event on Facebook.com/riverviewfest.