Sunday November 16, 2025
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Mayor Greg Fischer and members of Metro Council today celebrated great progress on repairing or replacing worn out pavement on roads across Louisville. The celebration was held at the corner of Broadway and South 45th Street along Shawnee Park, where crews recently completed the city’s 100th mile of paving for 2016.
This is the first time in nine years that Louisville has topped 100 miles of paving. The feat was last accomplished in 2007 when 104 miles were paved. The 2016 total is projected to reach 130 miles by the end of the paving season.
Mayor Fischer and the Council have quadrupled the city’s paving budget from $4.8 million in fiscal year 2015, up to $22 million in the current fiscal 2017 budget. The Council also included funds to complete a new assessment of the condition of pavement on arterial and connector roads throughout the city. The recently completed Pavement Condition Index will help guide future pavement management.
The Mayor said the increased paving budget is an integral part of the Move Louisville long-term multimodal transportation plan. “One of the top priorities for Move Louisville is fixing and maintaining our existing transportation infrastructure, and this achievement of paving more than 100 miles in a single year shows that we’re committed to making that happen,” he said.
Council President David Yates, Budget Committee Chairwoman Marianne Butler, Vice Chairwoman Angela Leet; and Public Works, Bridges & Transportation Committee Chairman Tom Owen all joined Mayor Fischer for the celebration.
Yates promised to continue the increased funding. “This is the start of a decade-long annual investment to ensure our city’s roads, the connectors between our homes, schools and businesses are adequately maintained for our citizens. I am proud to lead an esteemed body willing to make the hard choices today to ensure this burden is not placed upon the shoulders of our children and grandchildren tomorrow,” he said.
“Not only do nice roads enhance our neighborhoods, they also spur economic development and have a lasting impression with visitors,” Butler said. “Members of the council, particularly the Budget Committee, were happy to work cooperatively to find additional dollars for paving our roadways.”
Leet added, “This level of financial commitment is not one we can retreat from as a community in the coming years. These last two years have been a great first step toward an even more ambitious 10-year goal of repairing our roads.” She also thanked Public Works for handling the increased load. “They spend a great deal of time working with individual council offices to get these projects prioritized and ensure that these paving projects are completed correctly. They deserve a great deal of credit for their hard work,” Leet said. Owen, an avid bicyclist said, “Smooth pavement is a bicyclist’s delight! I’m so pleased that our growing local economy and the Mayor and Council have allowed us to make investment in basic infrastructure.”
The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today announced a new three-year
partnership that will keep the prestigious Kentucky Bourbon Affair fantasy camp in Louisville
through 2019, as well as dates for next year’s event and a national search for a KBA Director.
KDA President Eric Gregory also said Whisky Live, an international celebration of the world’s
finest whiskies, will return as the KBA’s closing event, capping off the week-long intimate,
immersive dive into Kentucky’s signature spirit.
Dates are June 6 through June 11, 2017. A limited amount of Golden Tickets will go on sale
later this year at http://www.kybourbonaffair.com/, with single tickets available afterwards.
Information about Whisky Live also can be found at http://www.whiskyliveusa.com/.
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said, “The Kentucky Bourbon Affair has become a signature
event for Bourbon lovers and Louisville is honored to be its home.”
Gregory praised the Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau for the three-year pact as Official
Host City. “The Kentucky Bourbon Affair has quickly become one of the industry’s most
revered events, due in large part to our friends at the Louisville CVB.
“Now, thanks to their vision, long-term commitment and collaboration with our legendary
distilleries, the KBA will strengthen its position as a world-class event, and the only one
produced by the actual distilleries themselves. “We deeply appreciate the support of the LCVB and its Board.”
Launched in 2014, the KBA is hailed for featuring daily behind-the-scenes access at the nation’s
most iconic distilleries, with elite nightcap dinners and fetes starring Louisville’s historic
Bourbon culture and top-shelf culinary scene.
The KBA has grown each year, with 35 events in 2016 and attendees from 40 states. Nearly all
events sell out quickly, with prized Golden Tickets – allowing first access to activities –
disappearing in minutes.
“Visiting Louisville for a festival or event is the number one driver for tourism in the city,” said Karen Williams, President and CEO of the Louisville CVB. “Having world-class events like the Kentucky Bourbon Affair that tie in to Louisville’s authenticity and Bourbon tradition are especially attractive and will benefit the city both culturally and economically.”
To learn more about Louisville and all its offerings, visit http://www.gotolouisville.com/.
Whisky Live Founder Dave Sweet said, “Coupled with the week-long celebration of the
Kentucky Bourbon Affair, Whisky Live Louisville 2016 was our most successful first launch
event ever with attendees from more than 20 states, coast-to-coast.”
“We’re looking forward to 2017 and adding an ever greater array of Scotch, Irish and other
international whiskies, alongside the best Bourbons that the industry has to offer. Whisky Live
Louisville is a national success and we’re just getting started.”
As part of its growth strategy, Gregory said the KDA is conducting a nationwide search for a
dynamic, full-time director to coordinate the annual showcase. A job posting is listed the KDA’s
website, http://kybourbon.com/about/careers/. The deadline to apply is Nov. 4.
“The KDA staff has done an incredible job in building this event from scratch,” Gregory said.
“But it has easily become a year-round position that needs dedicated resources, much like the
KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail experiences.”
Gregory said KDA distilleries are hard at work on building once-in-a-lifetime events for 2017.
The 2016 Affair featured private distillery tours, personal barrel selections, limited special
releases, rooftop dinners with renowned Bluegrass chefs, skeet shooting with a legendary Master
Distiller, custom cocktail parties, receptions at the homes of famed Bourbon Barons and more.
“One of the most attractive aspects of the Kentucky Bourbon Affair is that it changes from year
to year,” he said. “And while we’re always looking for opportunities to grow, the KBA is
committed to maintaining the intimate distillery atmosphere that guests clearly love.
“Kentucky is the one, true and authentic home of Bourbon. The Kentucky Bourbon Affair
features our Southern hospitality and genteel spirit in a way that makes it unique from any other
whiskey event in the world. Don’t miss this unforgettable experience.”
Most comprehensive study of 21st-century health & wellness curriculum involves 25 JCPS schools
Mayor Greg Fischer, Superintendent Donna M. Hargens, Patrick H. Tolan, Ph. D. of the University of Virginia, and Owsley Brown III today announced the launch of full implementation of the Compassionate Schools Project in the Jefferson County Public Schools, as well as four major supporting investments in the effort, totaling $4.4 million.
The announcement came during a press conference at Rutherford Elementary School, where students and an instructor demonstrated exercises from the curriculum.
The Compassionate Schools Project is the most comprehensive study ever undertaken of a 21st-century health and wellness curriculum. Facilitating the integrated development of mind and body, the project interweaves support in academic achievement, mental fitness, health, and compassionate character. The research aims to have a major impact on children’s education nationwide, in terms of academic performance, physical education, character development and child health policies, due to its extraordinary scale of 50 schools and 20,000 children over the project’s seven years.
Last fall, three pilot JCPS schools (Jacob, Cane Run and Slaughter Elementary) implemented the curriculum for all K-5 students twice each week during Practical Living class. The classes served more than 1,300 students and were evaluated and adjusted for optimal teacher and student engagement, schedule integration, age appropriateness and compatibility with the data measurement plan.
Beginning this year, the curriculum is being implemented in 25 schools for two years each, with start dates in 2016 and 2017. Researchers will study these schools throughout implementation, while also gathering data from 25 schools using the traditional Practical Living curriculum for comparison.
“This project is a signature part of our effort to nurture and grow the values of lifelong learning and compassion across Louisville,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. “Not only are we offering 20,000 young people these practical skills for improved health and focus, but we have also made ourselves a center of education innovation that has the eyes of the country watching us.”
Mindfulness-based instruction, social-emotional skills training and attentive movement are being used increasingly in individual schools across the United States. Initial research indicates potential benefits for both behavior and academic performance. The Compassionate Schools Project is the first to implement and study these skills across a sample representative of an entire school district. It is also the first curriculum to integrate these with skills shown to aid child physical health. If successful, the curriculum can be readily adoptable by school districts across the country.
“This kind of instruction has been shown to increase attention, determination, and self-awareness – all of which are critical if we are going to reach the goals outlined in our strategic plan,” said Dr. Hargens. “While these non-cognitive skills won’t show up on standardized tests, they are increasingly vital to our students’ academic success by building capacity within themselves to self-regulate and make great choices.”
Major supporting investment
The Compassionate Schools Project is funded through collaboration of private philanthropy and local and national foundations, and supported by staff and resources from the University of Virginia and Jefferson County Public Schools System.
Today, the project’s chairman, Owsley Brown III, announced four major grants:
James Graham Brown Foundation of Louisville: $1,000,000
Owsley and Victoire Brown, Christina Lee Brown, and Augusta and Gill Holland: $2,750,000
Hemera Foundation of Boulder, Colo.: $900,000
Paul Tudor Jones and Sonia Jones of Greenwich, Conn: $796,000
“This extraordinary support is a major endorsement of Louisville’s focus on compassion, innovation, and the flourishing of our children. The Compassionate Schools Project brings all of it together and is a model for the entire nation,” said Brown.
Also making key supporting investments are: C.E. and S. Foundation, Margaret Brown de Clercq, Patricia Gabriele and Vincenzo Gabriele, and the Gheens Foundation. The total raised to date is $6.4 million.
“Of the programs we’ve seen in almost ten years of grant making, few have had as much potential as the Compassionate Schools Project,” said Rob Kaufold, Executive Director of the Hemera Foundation. We see this as a unique opportunity to make a significant advance in research on the application and benefit of mindful awareness practice within education.”
The Compassionate Schools Project aligns with state and federal standards for health, physical education, nutrition, social and emotional learning and the Common Core standards. The project adds a new instructor in each school where the curriculum is being implemented, enhancing the Jefferson County Public Schools’ existing leadership and excellence in wellness education. Over the span of this funded project, more than 10,000 elementary school-aged students will be served.
More information is available at compassionschools.org.
With great fall weather underway, another great Old Louisville tradition takes place this weekend highlighting some of the best blues music to be heard in Metro Louisville. And no one can argue with the Cost: it’s FREE.
Councilman David James (D-6) and Four Roses Bourbon invite the community to the 2016 Garvin Gate Blues Festival to be held on Friday and Saturday, October 7th and 8th at The Gate on Garvin Place at Oak Street in historic Old Louisville.
“The Garvin Gate Blues Festival is yet another reason why Old Louisville is the place to be during the fall season. It began as a simple idea to bring a little music to a neighborhood and then grew into a wonderful community event,” says James. “I can think of no better place where you can sit back and enjoy some great music from some of the best in our area and across the country.”
Among the headliners for this year is Castro Coleman aka Mr. Sipp “The Mississippi Blues Child” who is the 2016 Best New Blues Artist Album Award Winner; along with Hector Anchondo Band and Karen Lovely.
It began in the parking lot of the Rudyard Kipling in 1988; a simple jam session that became popular to the people of the area. Over the years, the Garvin Place Association experienced grwoth with new expanded boundaries and before long became the Garvin Place Neighborhood Association.
The Association extended an invitation to those in the jam session to be an accommodating host and create a new neighborhood event. Since then, legendary blues musicians that have performed at the festival through the years.
“The Garvin Gate Blues Festival continues a great month of October for the Old Louisville Neighborhood,” says Howard Rosenberg, Chairman of the Old Louisville Neighborhood Council. “We began the month with the St. James Court Art Show, now the Festival and will finish the month with the Victorian Tales of Terror on October 13, 14, 15 and 16th. It is a great time to be in Old Louisville.”
Garvin Gate Blues Festival Schedule
Friday, October 7
Four Roses Stage on Oak St. @ Garvin Pl.
6:30-7:30 Sheryl Rouse and the Bluez Brothers
8:00-9:00 Mark Telesca
9:30-11:00 Karen Lovely
Info+ Stage on Oak St. @ Fourth St.
7:30-7:55, 9:00-9:25 Robbie Bartlett
Saturday, October 8
Four Roses Stage on Oak St. @ Garvin Pl.
2:00-2:45 Tyrone Cotton Band
3:15-4:00 The King Bees
4:30-5:15 Louisville White Lightning Curtis
5:45-6:30 daMudcats
7:00-8:00 Southern Avenue
8:30-9:30 Hector Anchondo Band
10:00-11:15 Mr. Sipp, The Mississippi Blues Child
Info+ Stage on Oak St. @ Fourth St.
2:45-3:10, 4:00-4:25 The Tarnations
5:15-5:40, 6:30-6:55, 8:00-8:25 Laurie Jane and The 45s
In addition to continuous live entertainment from two stages, the festival has an array of food and drink vendors and over 50 craft booths.
This free blues music festival is presented by Four Roses Bourbon and The Garvin Gate Neighborhood and is sponsored by Louisville Metro Councilman David James, Genscape & FMS Commercial Cleaning.
“This Festival is also one way we can help preserve the historic nature of the Garvin Gate Neighborhood in Old Louisville,” says James. “I want to thank Four Roses Bourbon for partnering with us as we keep Old Louisville unique. Help yourself to some great blues this weekend,”
Proceeds benefit the Garvin Gate and Old Louisville neighborhoods and A Recipe to End Hunger, a charitable cookbook started by WAVE3 television personality, Dawne Gee. Proceeds help schools raise the funds needed to feed every child in need.
For more details, contact Councilman James’ Office at 574-1106 or Howard Rosenberg at 502-445-4193 or visit the website at http://www.garvingatebluesfestival.com/.
Councilman Tom Owen (D-8) has issued a statement on the recent designation of 2833 Tremont Drive as a local landmark by the Metro Louisville Landmarks Commission:
On September 15, 2016, the Metro Louisville Landmarks Commission after hearing over 3.5 hours of historical research, owner opposition, and public comment, voted 7 – 0 to designate 2833 Tremont Drive, near Assumption High School, a local Landmark.
I have carefully reviewed the record of those proceedings and agree with the Commission decision.
Here’s why:
Testimony established a late 1830s construction date making the home at least 175 years old
Strong evidence was presented that the first Episcopal Bishop of Kentucky lived in the home and operated Kalorama—a girls school–there before the Civil War
In the WWI era the exterior of the old home was changed from federal to bungalow style; it is not unusual for a historic home to “evolve”
In the past decade neighborhood association newsletters and festival exhibits have recognized the home’s significance
Economic hardship for the owners was softened when soon after purchase last Fall they created at least one buildable lot on the 1.4 acre site still leaving room for the historic home
Five members of the Landmarks Commission visited the site and one commissioner was able to explain how the façade facing Tyler Lane was altered by examining wall and attic rafters
During the Landmarks process the owners received offers to purchase the old home
Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) is calling on local businesses and organizations to recruit volunteers for Make the Connection, a JCPS initiative providing seventh-grade students across the district the opportunity to speak with caring community adults about the importance of planning for college and a career.
Each October, the Make the Connection program connects JCPS seventh graders with professionals who volunteer an hour of time speaking with the students at school about their career and the path that got them there. Volunteers from a range of occupations visit schools and conduct two 30-minute sessions with the students.
“Our valued community partners are a critical asset to the district and our students as we prepare them for college and for their future careers,” said JCPS Superintendent Dr. Donna Hargens. “That’s why we’re asking 800 volunteers to give one hour of their time between Oct. 5 and Oct. 31 to share with our students about the importance of planning for their future. With these students at a transitional point in their lives, the Make the Connection program provides citizens a meaningful opportunity to help guide them as they look ahead to high school, explore careers and learn what it takes to work in an industry that interests them.”
To get involved, businesses and organizations can click here to find a date, time and location. Those interested in volunteering may also call the JCPS Office of Business Partnerships at 502-485-3995 for additional information.
The World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana (WAC) is moving its office to The Dolfinger in the Portland Neighborhood on Oct. 31.
The move reflects a significant milestone in the World Affairs Council’s 30+ year history. Since its establishment, the WAC has been located in the heart of downtown Louisville. It has brought thousands of international leaders to the area, and convened hundreds of prominent speakers on global issues.
“The decision to move to Portland demonstrates WAC’s desire to be part of a bigger movement and a vision for the future of a community in Louisville,” said Dr. Adel Elmaghraby, Board Chair of WAC. “This move will help bring greater international and local exposure to the historic neighborhood through increased in-house programming with visitors from around the world and educational programs for students throughout the city.”
The name “The Dolfinger” is in honor of Emma Dolfinger. Originally the Montgomery Street school built in the 1850s, the building was renamed the Dolfinger School in 1928. Emma Dolfinger was a Louisville educator who was the head of the science department of the Louisville Girls’ School, and a supervisor of science for the city schools. The building operated under that name until it closed in 1975. (It then became Portland Christian School.)
The building was also used as a Civil War hospital. The Dolfinger was one of the first buildings acquired by the Gill Holland-led Portland Investment Initiative. Holland said that there are already several tenants on board but that the WAC is “Our most high-profile tenant for sure. They are the perfect fit for Portland since Portland was where goods departed down the Ohio by boat.”
WAC will occupy two first floor classrooms, one of which will be an event space that will host regular and diverse programs featuring international leaders from its exchange programs; workshops and presentations for students involved in its education programs; and special events that will bring people from around the city to the neighborhood to participate.
