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Photo: Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation
Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation will be offering local youths the opportunity to take part in a local golf tour that begins with a kickoff event at Seneca Golf Course on May 28.
The “Louisville Junior Golf Tour” is designed for all children who play golf or are interested in learning the sport. Metro Parks and Recreation golf pros have come up with a series of one-day events with highlights that include easier, more relaxed rules than traditional golf, short-yardage courses, stroke limits with each hole, and affordable pricing with professional experience and guidance from the pros themselves.
“We want to bridge the gap between kids who are introduced to the game casually and the kids who compete in high-level golf tournaments,” said Tommy Betz, the PGA Professional at Bobby Nichols Golf Course and Director of the Junior Golf Tour. “This is the perfect way to start competing and more importantly begin by learning to enjoy the game first.”
The tour starts with a “Kickoff Event” on Sunday, May 28th at Seneca Golf Course for a cost of only $9.50 – the other tour events will be $25 per player. To register and enter junior golfers, check out the schedule and other pertinent information at LouisvilleJrTour.com.
“This is another way for children already involved in our many youth golf programs such as The First Tee of Louisville, PGA Junior League teams, summer camps, elementary, grade school, and high school golfers in Louisville to compete and enjoy our amenities at Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation golf courses,” said Marty Storch, Deputy Director of Metro Parks and Recreation.Pho
ABOUT METRO PARKS GOLF:
Louisville’s nine public golf courses offer a quality golfing experience at some of the most affordable prices in the nation. Each course has its own unique character, and some consistently rank among Kentucky’s best and most challenging courses. The nine municipally-owned golf courses meet the needs of everyone from beginners to scratch golfers. For more information, visit http://www.louisvilleky.gov/MetroParks/golf.
Bobby Nichols Golf Course, 4301 E. Pages Lane, 502/937-9051 (9 holes)
Charlie Vettiner Golf Course, 10207 Mary Dell Lane, 502/267-9958 (18 holes)
Cherokee Golf Course, 2501 Alexander Road, 502/458-9450 (9 holes)
Crescent Hill Golf Course, 3110 Brownsboro Road, 502/896-9193 (9 holes)
Iroquois Golf Course, 1501 Rundill Road, 502/363-9520 (18 holes)
Long Run Golf Course, 1605 Flat Rock Road, 502/245-9015 (18 holes)
Seneca Golf Course, 2300 Pee Wee Reese Blvd, 502/458-9298 (18 holes)
Shawnee Golf Course, 460 Northwestern Parkway, 502/776-9389 (18 holes)
Sun Valley Golf Course, 6505 Bethany Lane, 502/937-9228 (18 holes)
Rusty Weihe, a second-grade teacher at Farmer Elementary School, has been awarded the Excellence in Classroom and Educational Leadership (ExCEL) Award. Representatives from Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) and from the award sponsors — LG&E and KU and WHAS11 — honored the teacher during a ceremony at the school last week.
“Students in Mr. Weihe’s class are challenged with rigorous and engaging lessons from the minute they walk through the doors to the time they leave,” Farmer Principal Shannon Conlon said. “No instructional time during the day is lost due to his level of preparedness each and every day.”
Weihe is a strong advocate for his school, serving on numerous teams, including the Instructional Leadership Team, Professional Learning Community, Site-Based Decision Making Council and Response to Intervention team. He is also a member of the Parent-Teacher Association, and serves as the school leader for the Orton-Gillingham reading program as well as a University of Louisville mentor.
“Mr. Weihe makes it his mission to reach all students where they are academically,” said Nicholas Toole, assistant principal at Farmer. “He possesses the grit and perseverance to get the students to complete the year on grade level. He is a true leader among his colleagues and one that they turn to when they have questions about instruction or specific student concerns.”
His colleagues echo that sentiment.
“Rusty holds high expectations for all learners and establishes an environment where all children know they are valuable and capable,” said second-grade teacher Sarah Switzer. “He is committed to teaching each child as an individual.”
As part of LG&E and KU’s commitment to supporting education across the communities it serves, Weihe and other ExCEL Award winning teachers each receive a $1,000 instructional grant from the company.
Photo: B4L website
Approximately 100 bicycle parking spaces will be available during Derby Week at Wayside Park near Churchill Downs, thanks to a partnership between Bicycling for Louisville and Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation.
Bike parking will be free of charge at the park, which is located in the 3100 block of S. Third Street, on Thursday (Thurby), Friday (Oaks Day) and Saturday (Derby Day). No motorcycles will be allowed in the parking area, and cyclists who leave their bikes at Wayside Park should bring their own locks, as the park will not be monitored during those three days.
The bike parking option gives those interested an alternative way to get to avoid high parking fees and traffic congestion when going to the track.
“We’re hoping a lot of people use this option — as a way to save money and time, but also as a fun way to get to and from Churchill,” said Chris Glasser, Executive Director of Bicycling for Louisville. “Taking a bike to the track ends up being a far more convenient option than sitting in traffic all day.”
Wayside Park has a historic tie-in with cycling in Louisville. In 1897, the Cycle Carnival – a huge bicycle parade that included about 10,000 cyclists viewed by 50,000 spectators – passed Wayside Park en route to Iroquois Park from Broadway.
The Louisville Bicycle Club has adopted Wayside Park under the Metro Parks and Recreation Adopt-A-Park program.
“The park has a very interesting history as it relates to cycling in Louisville, and we’re pleased to be able to call attention to that once again,” said Seve Ghose, Director of Metro Parks and Recreation. “It’s great to be able to use it in this fashion during Derby Week.”
Mayor Greg Fischer endorsed the idea too, noting that it’s a way to promote health and have fun, though he cautioned Derby go-ers to “hold on to your hat!”
Neighborhood Place sites bring together multiple partners in May offering opportunities to improve your livelihood and health including a job fair at Portland Community Center, a college match information session, as well as a diabetes awareness and self-management class. A gigantic yard sale and bake sale is also being held at Bethany United Church of Christ on May 12 and 13. To learn more about these services, including reservations requirements and contact info, please refer to the phone numbers listed by each event.
May 1 and 18, Kentucky Nutrition Education Program at First Neighborhood Place, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd. A representative from the Kentucky Nutrition Education Program will be on hand to provide ways to make healthy food choices, encourage more fruits and vegetables, choosing low fat and high fiber foods, increasing physical activity, avoid running out of food, and how to prepare and store food safely.
- May 1, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd., 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
- May 18 First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd., 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
May 2, Car Seat Fitting at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 9 – 11 a.m. (by appointment only)
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 629-7358 to schedule an appointment. Kosair Children’s Hospital will provide a car seat check fitting station to teach how to properly install your child’s car seat or booster seat or to find out if it’s time for a change.
May 2, 9, and 16, Louisville Urban League Parent Leadership Academy at South Central Neighborhood Place, 11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Located at 4255 Hazelwood Ave. Call 313-4089 for more information. We invite all Jefferson County parents to our free 6 week parent leadership program! Get answers to your questions, learn what to ask during school meetings, gain a supportive community of parents, build your advocacy skills for your child and connect to community resources. Lunch is provided! To reserve your spot, call 313-4089.
May 2, 9, 16, and 23, Living Well Class at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 1 – 3 p.m.
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place. Call 772-8588 to register. This class is designed to benefit individuals with diabetes, high blood pressure, pain, asthma, arthritis, depression, or other ongoing health problems. Learn better ways to manage your health and earn an 8-week YMCA membership.
Tuesdays, Couponing Support Group at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 485-6145 to register or for more information. Learn tips and money saving ideas to help build extra financial wealth in using coupons while grocery shopping.
May 2, 8, 10, 16, 17 and 24, WeCare Energy Efficiency Overview
Call 1-800-356-5467 for more information. Representatives from the WeCare Program at LG&E will be on hand to talk with interested persons about energy efficiency, energy usage and tips to reduce utility bills. WeCare staff can also help determine if households are eligible for a variety of free services including air duct sealing and insulation, attic and wall insulation, programmable thermostats and much more.
- May 2, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place – Valley, 10200 Dixie Hwy., 10 a.m.- 12 p.m.
- May 8 and 17 , Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- May 10 and 24, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- May 16, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd. (T. J. Middle School in the W.D. Bruce Building – door #24), 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
May 3 and May 17, Legal Aid Office Hours at South Central Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. -12 p.m.
Located at 4255 Hazelwood Ave. Call 485-7130 for more information. A Legal Aid Society staff member will be on hand to answer questions, talk about cases that Legal Aid handles and provide referrals.
May 4, 11, 18 and 25, Becoming Weight Wise at South Central Neighborhood Place, 12 – 1 p.m.
Located at 4255 Hazelwood Ave. Call 313-4089 for more information. It’s not easy to manage body weight. This 10 week course of self-discovery, skill building and support can help you learn about weight control. This program is based on approaches that are promising ways to achieve better health.
May 4, 11, and 23, Work and Learn Program for K-TAP Recipients Info Session
Call 502-213-2149 for more information. Individuals who are receiving K-TAP who are interested in completing their GED or upgrading their skills in preparation for college enrollment are invited to stop by and talk with case managers from the Work and Learn program. Find out how to earn an hourly wage at an approved job site and upon completion of your GED, receive a cash bonus!
- May 4, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd., 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- May 11, Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- May 23, NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 4018 W. Market St., 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
May 8, Sodexo Hiring Opportunities at South Central Neighborhood Place, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Located at 4255 Hazelwood Ave. Call 574-4516 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.
May 9, 16 and 23, Diabetes Self-Management Class Series at the Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place, 1 – 3:30 p.m.
Located at 1411 Algonquin Parkway. Call 574-6663 to register or for more information. Have you been diagnosed with diabetes, but are not sure how to manage your condition? Whether you are recently diagnosed or have been diabetic for years and need a refresher, this class is for you! Topics covered will include what is diabetes, glucose monitoring, problem solving, healthy eating, medication management, sick day management, healthy exercise, and goal setting. Sponsored by the Department of Public Health and Wellness.
May 9, 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.
May 9, Free Blood Pressure Checks 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 checks.
May 10, Job Fair at Molly Leonard Portland Community Center, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, Power of Work and NorthWest Neighborhood Place are partnering to host a diverse employer selection in efforts to assist families in their journey to self-sufficiency. Companies include Centerstone, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Humana, Jefferson County Public Schools, Salvation Army, Gordon Food Service, FedEx, Teleperformance USA and more. Business attire is required (no jeans, hats, sportswear or costumes) with resume in hand. Please do not bring children.
May 12 and 13, South Jefferson Gigantic Yard Sale and Bake Sale at Bethany United Church of Christ, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Located at 10400 Old Preston Highway. Call 363-1483 for more information or to inquire about dropping of donations. The Annual Yard Sale and Bake Sale proceeds benefit the South Jefferson Neighborhood Place’s Summer Back to School Event to help purchase supplies. Items for sale will include collectibles, household items, small furnishings, baby items, clothing of all sizes, books, etc. Delicious baked goods will also be available! Donations for the yard sale can be dropped off at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place in Fairdale, 1000 Neighborhood Place, between 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
May 15 and 25, Library Connection
A representative from the Louisville Free Public Library will be on hand to sign interested persons up for library cards, answers questions about resources at the library, and provide information on upcoming events at your local library office.
- May 15, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd., 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Call 313-4700 for more information
- May 25, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 1000 Neighborhood Place, Fairdale, KY, 12 – 2 p.m. Call 363-1483 for more information.
May 15, Diabetes Awareness and Basic Nutrition at First Neighborhood Pace, 1 – 3 p.m.
In order to raise awareness of diabetes and those recently diagnosed, those at risk or have been diabetic for years and need a refresher session on how to manage your condition. Sponsored by Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness.
May 16, Best College Match Free Informational Workshop at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 313-4635 register. Greg and Opal Dawson, authors of Best College Match: 5 Steps that Earned $1,000,000 in Scholarships, will discuss their 5 Steps to finding the ‘Best College Match’ for your child. Raffles for “Best College Match” autographed book or 1- Hour “Best College Match” one on one consultation.
May 16, Norton Mobile Unit at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place, Fairdale, KY. Call 502-899-6842 for more information or to make an appointment. The Norton Mobile Unit will offer low/no-cost mammograms and pap smears for women age 40 and over. Must be at least one complete year since the last mammogram, be able to stand unassisted for at least 15 minutes, not have any current issues or undergoing cancer treatment. Insurance will be billed and co-pay may apply- contact your insurance carrier for eligibility. Funding is available for those who are uninsured. Sponsored by Norton Health Care and Family Health Clinic. May 22 and 24, Free Dental Screenings by Community Dental Care Call 502-366-4442 for more information. Community Dental Care is a full-service dental organization designed to increase access to health care in communities with the goal of improving the overall health of the population. Representatives will be on site to provide free dental screenings for children and adults and schedule appointments as necessary. Kindergarten and pre-K children who receive screenings will be provided with a certificate that will meet the school district’s requirement for dental screenings.
- May 22, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place – Fairdale site, 1000 Neighborhood Place, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
- May 22, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place – Valley site, 10200 Dixie Highway, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
- May 24, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
May 23, A Healthy Journey for Two, 1 - 3 p.m. Located at 3410 Lees Ln, next to Farnsley Middle School. RSVP is required to Mendy Mason at 502-341-5400 or mmason@sevencounties.org. 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.
is putting WiFi in motion to make it more convenient to ride, and because internet access is a growing necessity for connecting people, and accessing opportunities and information,” said J. Barry Barker, executive director of TARC.
TARC, with a fleet of 227 buses, already provides WiFi on 156 buses and work is underway to enable WiFi on the remaining 71 buses, Barker said.
Barker was joined by Mayor Greg Fischer and Jake Sion, of Montreal, chief operating officer for a mobile app that tracks buses in real time, in announcing the upgrades at a news conference at Union Station, TARC’s headquarters. Transit, free to download, has been a popular mobile app with TARC passengers.
“Louisville takes pride in our city’s innovative and entrepreneurial spirit — and it’s really on display here,” Mayor Fischer said. “WiFi on every TARC bus opens up new possibilities for passengers to work, study or be entertained while getting from place to place.”
WiFi on all buses
TARC first made WiFi available in 2013 on 21 eTran commuter coaches that cross the river and travel on some express routes, and added WiFi to more buses as funding allowed.
Recent contract options with Verizon resulted in significant savings for onboard Wi-Fi, reducing the cost for unlimited data to a fixed amount of about $40 a month per bus. TARC also receives an annual contribution covering WiFi on 55 buses from Lamar, TARC’s bus advertising partner.
“The WiFi has been popular from the start based on data use,” Barker said, and a growing number of passengers have mobile phones with internet access. A survey last year of TARC local and express route passengers showed 80 percent of passengers have mobile devices with internet access, 20 percent more than three years ago.
“With buses as WiFi hot spots, passengers can now check schedules and bus arrival times, check email, do some work or homework while on the go using TARC WiFi,” Barker said.
To connect to TARC WiFi on buses, passengers using mobile devices need to make sure WiFi is turned on, and to tap “RideTARC” as their WiFi option.
Transit
Transit, which has been endorsed by transit agencies in over a dozen cities including Boston and Dayton, integrates real-time transit information for more than 400 public transportation systems around the world. In the past 18 months, the app has been downloaded in Louisville more than 18,000 times, Sion said. More than 1,500 riders are using the app on an average weekday, analytics show, he said.
“Relative to TARC’s ridership, our usage in Louisville is among the highest across the US, and without any heavy promotion to date. TARC riders have really embraced our app,” he said.
TARC real-time bus information has been available on Transit since 2015 when TARC made its real-time data feed available to app developers.
Barker said TARC wants to make even more passengers aware of the app because “we’ve heard from passengers that they like it, and it provides an option for online trip planning.”
Transit was updated this week to include information about TARC service changes for the Thunder Over Louisville fireworks on Saturday.
When opening the app, it automatically shows you nearby bus lines and departure times in big text and bright colors. Users can track TARC buses on a map, plan trips from start to finish, set alarms reminding them when to leave home to catch the next bus, and have an alert sound when their stop is approaching. Transit also integrates Uber and starting next month, when Louisville Metro launches its bike share program, LouVelo, the app will allow users to locate bike share stations and buy bike share passes.
Passengers, including Mary Lou Ferrell who rides TARC to and from the Highlands and the University of Louisville’s Belknap campus, have praised the app. “It makes riding TARC so much better,” she wrote on Facebook.
Families are invited to the North Great Lawn inside Kroger’s Festival today, Sunday, April 30, from 1-4 p.m. for the YMCA Healthy Kids Day Presented by Humana. The Derby Festival joined forces with the YMCA of Greater Louisville and Humana to bring free family fun to the Waterfront.
“We are excited to join forces with the award-winning Kentucky Derby Festival team,” said Steve Tarver, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Louisville. “It’s community partnerships like this and the support of Humana that make YMCA Healthy Kids Day a truly unique family event that emphasizes the value of health and fitness for everyone during an exciting time of year in our city.”
Geared toward children ages 3 and older, plus adults, the event will feature interactive and family fitness activities, inflatables and giveaways. The fifth annual miniFun Run for Kids will also be a part of the festivities. The best part is, admission is free!
“This partnership allows us to expand on our miniFun Run event for kids, which started in 2013,” said Mike Berry, KDF President and CEO. “There will be activities for children and adults alike, all while promoting healthy lifestyles and healthy families.”
The event is coordinated by YMCA of Greater Louisville with Presenting Sponsor Humana. Joining them are Media Sponsors Today’s Family Magazine and 102.3 The Max.
Food, drink and pets are not permitted. For more information, visit ymcalouisville.org or call 502-587-9622.
The Kentucky Derby Festival is partnering with the Louisville Bicycle Club to produce the PNC Tour de Lou, which will ride through Louisville this Sunday, April 30. Created for cyclists of all experience levels, this is the Festival’s fourth annual bike event. For riders who still want to participate, late registration is available this week. They can register on site at the Kentucky Derby Festival Race Expo at the Kentucky Exposition Center, West Wing, April 27, from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. and Friday, April 28, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Cyclists who have already registered can pick up their packets at the Expo.)
As in the past, the 2017 PNC Tour de Lou route will be an open course, with two lane or bike lanes provided for over 90% of the route. Cyclist will start and finish at Waterfront Park near Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville. There are separate distances based on experience levels:
- 20 miles – Beginner/New to cycling (Open course, no streets closed.)
- 35 miles – Moderate/Experienced (Open course, no streets closed.)
- Metric Century, 62.1 miles – Seasoned (Open course, no streets closed).
The course highlights include a scenic Olmsted Park Tour showcasing Shawnee, Chickasaw, Wayside, Iroquois and Cherokee parks. Cyclists will also travel through neighborhoods around the city from Downtown along Main Street and Waterfront Park, to Portland, Algonquin and South Louisville; as well as Old Louisville NULU, the Highlands and Butchertown.
Late registration (April 27 and 28) is $50. A portion of the registration fee also benefits the Louisville Bicycle Club. For more information, visit www.kdf.org or call (502) 584-FEST.
PNC is Title Sponsor of the event. Official Safety Sponsor: AAA East Central. Contributing Sponsors: Baptist Health Sports Medicine, Louisville Marriott Downtown, and Scheller’s Fitness & Cycling. Media Sponsors: 102.3 The Max and The Courier-Journal. Supporting Sponsors: Louisville Bicycle Club and Louisville Water Company.
Since 1956, the Derby Festival has worked to bring the community together in celebration. The Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single-attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.