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Members of the Louisville Metro Council will host a formal reception to congratulate and welcome Dr. Marty Pollio as the new Superintendent of the Jefferson County Public Schools on Monday, April 23rd.
“This is an opportunity for Council members to meet with Dr. Pollio as we look forward to working with him and assisting anyway we can in educating the children of Jefferson County,” says President David James (D-6). “I support Dr. Pollio and the dynamic changes he is making for JCPS to improve education in Jefferson County.”
The formal reception will be held in the First Floor Conference Room of Historic City Hall, 601 West Jefferson Street beginning at 5:30pm.
Scarlet’s Bakery, an organization which works with victims of human trafficking and domestic abuse, will provide the appetizers for the reception.
Historical interpreter and culinary historian Michael Twitty will be in residence at Locust Grove May 22 through May 25, 2018 for Africa In Our Kitchens, a series of workshops, presentations, and tastings. Michael Twitty is a dedicated researcher who is committed to preserving and promoting African-American foodways and culture, and linking this influence on Southern food heritage. His research brings an understanding of the cultural heritage of enslaved communities and its relationship to the American South. His book, The Cooking Gene, was released by HarperCollins in 2017.
Twitty’s week-long residency at Locust Grove will explore the influence that African culture had on what has become American food through the enslaved African American experience. “Kentucky has an impressive and important role in the history and heritage of Southern and African American foodways and I hope my visit amplifies that story,” says Twitty of his visit.
Twitty’s residency will involve three formal public events, and focus on the enslaved community at Locust Grove. According to Brian Cushing, Locust Grove’s Program Director, “Michael Twitty’s visit is one of the best opportunities we have had yet to bring the experiences of the enslaved African Americans who worked the Locust Grove farm two centuries ago to life for our visitors. At any given time between 1792-1856, they comprised the majority population on the property that is now our museum and through exploring the food that they brought with them and created here, we are hoping that visitors come closer to understanding them as real, individual human beings.”
On Tuesday, May 22 at 6:00 pm, Twitty will offer a hearth meal tasting, allowing guests to taste traditional recipes cooked in Locust Grove’s hearth kitchen while hearing how the lived experiences of enslaved African Americans inform our national story and taste buds. Tickets are $18, or $15 for Locust Grove members.
On Thursday, May 24 at 6:00 pm, the public is invited to an open-air barbecue sampler that recreates the practices of enslaved African Americans living in early America. During the day, Twitty will roast a whole sheep over an open pit and prepare other 18th and 19th century recipes for sampling by evening guests. Tickets are $23, or $20 for Locust Grove members.
On both Tuesday, May 22 and Thursday, May 24, the Locust Grove hearth kitchen and grounds will be open for “Cooking Days with Michael Twitty.” Guests are welcome to stop by the hearth kitchen to view preparations, ask questions about recipes and techniques, and gain insight into how daily meals were prepared in the 18th and 19th centuries. Admission to the grounds for Cooking Days will be free. On Thursday, much of the preparations will take place on the grounds as Twitty roasts a whole sheep over an open pit.
Finally, on Friday, May 25 at 6:30 pm, Michael Twitty will present “Africa In Our Kitchens: How Enslaved African American Cooks Shaped American Cuisine.” This lecture will discuss Twitty’s research into the foodways of the enslaved and how their culture and experience shaped the American palate. Tickets for this presentation at $12, or $10 for Locust Grove members.
Africa In Our Kitchens: Michael Twitty at Locust Grove will take place May 22-25, 2018 at Historic Locust Grove. Tickets for all events will be on sale starting April 21 and may be purchased by calling Locust Grove at 502-897-9845.
Africa In Our Kitchens: Hearth Meal Tasting
Tuesday, May 22, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Learn about 18th and 19th-century hearth cooking practices and the African influence on American cooking through enslaved cooks with historical interpreter and culinary historian Michael Twitty. During this tasting event, guests will taste traditional recipes cooked by Michael Twitty in Locust Grove’s hearth kitchen and hear how the lived experiences of enslaved African Americans inform our national story and national taste buds, as African culture and food practices became associated with American cooking. Tickets: $18/$15 for Locust Grove members. Tickets on sale April 21, 2018; call (502) 897-9845.
Cooking Tuesday with Michael Twitty
Tuesday, May 22, 10:00 am – 4:30 pm
Free admission to grounds and hearth kitchen to view preparations for the evening event.
Africa In Our Kitchens: Open Air Barbecue Sampler
Thursday, May 24, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Experience an 18th century barbecue that recreates the practices of enslaved African Americans living in early America as Michael Twitty roasts a whole sheep over an open pit. The foodways of the enslaved have had a profound influence on the flavors that persist in American recipes, intrinsically linking African culture with our present understanding of traditional food. Michael Twitty’s food will give you a taste of the past while offering an understanding of the unique stories and experiences of enslaved African Americans. Tickets: $23/$20 for Locust Grove members. Tickets on sale April 21, 2018; call (502) 897-9845.
Cooking Thursday with Michael Twitty
Thursday, May 24, 10:00 am – 4:30 pm
Free admission to grounds and hearth kitchen to view preparations for the evening event.
Africa In Our Kitchens: How Enslaved African American Cooks Shaped American Cuisine
Friday, May 25 6:30pm – 8:00pm
In this presentation, historical interpreter and culinary historian Michael Twitty will discuss his research into the foodways of the enslaved and how their culture and experience shaped the American palate. Tickets: $12/$10 for Locust Grove members. Tickets on sale April 21, 2018; call (502) 897-9845.
Kentucky State Fair Premium Books are now available online. Competitors can choose from 31 departments — including antiques, field seed, livestock, photography and textiles — which are divided into 7,000 total classes of competition. All ages are welcome to compete for cash prizes and the more than 5,000 blue ribbons to be awarded.
The 2018 Kentucky State Fair is Aug. 16-26 at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
Entry deadlines are:
- General July 2
- General (late fee) July 10
- Open and 4-H/FFA Youth Livestock July 10
- Pigeon and Poultry July 18
- Rabbit July 18
- Open Livestock (late fee) July 25
- Extra Late Open Livestock (late fee) August 3
The Premium Book and entry form are available online at www.kystatefair.org/premiumBook.html. A print version is also available; to request a copy, contact the entry department at Entry@kyvenues.com or call (502) 367-5190.
As fans plan for another Derby Season, Louisville Metro Emergency Services is offering a text message alert system for residents and visitors. LENSAlert, the Louisville Emergency Notification System, offers a text message sign up which will provide event goers real time notifications in the instance of an emergency. To sign up for notifications for any event throughout the Derby Season, just text “Derby” to 67283.
Should an incident occur, text message notifications are sent from MetroSafe, Louisville’s 911 Communications Center. MetroSafe stays in constant communication with the Incident Command System, the Emergency Operations Center, first responders, and LMPD’s Real Time Crime Center and maintains a high level of situational awareness during all events.
Attendees are encouraged to text “Derby” to 67283 prior to attending events, but you can sign up for the service at any point in time. If you are already signed up for LENSAlert, you can elect to receive event specific notifications through your safety profile, which can be accessed anytime at smart911.com.
Emergency Services Director Jody Meiman states, “We expect a safe and secure Derby Season and are doing everything we can to be prepared, including offering text alerts for the public. LENSAlert is meant to communicate emergency information only and will be the trusted source of information should a major incident occur.
Photo: Division of Community Forestry
To celebrate Arbor Day and Earth Day, the Louisville Metro Office of Sustainability, will give away 1,000 trees on Saturday, April 21 from 12-2 p.m. at the Hope Community Garden in south Louisville (1400 Bicknell Drive).
“In our growing city, we are always looking for ways to improve our community’s health and our environment,” Erin Thompson, Louisville Metro’s Urban Forester, said. “One of the best ways to do this is by planting a tree. We encourage all residents to join us in celebrating Earth Day and Arbor Day by planting a tree.”
At this giveaway event, any Jefferson County resident may take up to three trees on a first come, first served basis. A driver’s license or utility bill must be provided for proof of residence. All trees should be planted on private property.
All trees that will be given away are native to Kentucky and will be provided to residents in three gallon containers. Species available on Saturday include Allegheny Serviceberry, Redbud, Black Oak, Eastern Red Cedar, Pawpaw, American Hornbeam, Sugar Maple, River Birch, Tulip Poplar and Red Oak.
For more information, please visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/division-community-forestry
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
The third time is the charm and the forecast shows this Saturday will be good weather for the postponed Spring Cleanups in and around District 6.
“I want to thank everyone for their patience. It appears the weather is on our side this Saturday so I am asking everyone to come out and join us as we make District 6 a better, cleaner place for everyone,” says President James. “We are fortunate to always have great volunteers for these events and I am hopeful everyone will help us out.”
Volunteers need to show up at 12:00pm for the cleanup which is scheduled to last through 3:00pm.
There are three areas set for a cleanup this Saturday. One is Dumesnil between 17th and 18th Streets; the second is at West Ormsby between the 1500 and 1800 blocks and finally the California neighborhood. . Volunteers should meet at the corner of 18th and Dumesnil and then the cleanups will begin.
There will be a limited number of shovels, rakes and brooms, gloves and bags. If any volunteers have their own yard equipment please bring it with you.
“So if you have the time, come join us and have some fun and help us make a difference in our community,” says President James.
For more information about the cleanups, contact President James Office at 502-574-1106.
Solid Waste Management Services Enforcement has located and impounded its 2nd vehicle of 2018 after an alert citizen caught illegal dumping going on in the 2100 Block of Pirtle Street.
“I want to thank the people of area for their efforts to keep Pirtle Street from becoming a dumping ground and SWMS for their fast work with citizens to make illegal dumping a costly venture,” says Councilwoman Barbara Sexton Smith (D-4), who represents the area.
SWMS Enforcement was contacted by a citizen that confronted and photographed an individual dumping out of a pickup truck in the 2100 Block of Pirtle St. According to SWMS, the individual that dumped the material ignored the citizen and continued to dump.
Based on the images and the witness statement, SWMS Enforcement issued a citation and impounded the vehicle. The citation totaled $750, and the owner will have to pay approximately $250 for impound and storage fees.
For many years, the Metro Council has focused attention and resources to stop illegal dumping throughout Metro Louisville.
“The Council’s message has always been a simple one: if you decide to illegal dump in where in the city, you will pay,” says Sexton Smith.
