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More than 600 students from Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) and area private schools will gather Wednesday for the JCPS IdeaFestival, to be held from 9 a.m. until 2:45 p.m. at The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, 501 W. Main St.
With a theme of the ‘flip side,’ the student-centered conference will feature 10 presentations, highlighting discussions of current and forward-looking ideas and issues from a diverse group of speakers. Student-planned and executed, the event provides young people with an outlet to express opinions and delve into timely issues, and encourages students to see the connection between these issue and their lives. You can follow the day’s action on Twitter using #staycurious, #WeAreJCPS or following @ifjcps.
Presentations include:
- 9:30 a.m.: “The Secret to Success” (Jocelyn Marables – Brown School)
- 9:45 a.m.: “The Design Process Demonstrated through Cup Holders” (Billy Dunbar – Jeffersontown High School)
- 10:15 a.m.: “Flipping the Script on Sexual Assault” (Autumn Knuckles – DuPont Manual High School)
- 10:45 a.m.: “Mindfulness” (Robin O’Bryant – Fairdale High School)
- 10:55 a.m.: “English as a Second Language” (Camille Rougier, Marco Munoz and Melissa Perello – DuPont Manual High School)
- 12 p.m.: “Diversity” (Mwamini Mulungula, Mustafa Abdulrazak, Meena Abdulrazak, Dhahira Faqih, Keon Farris and Evan Farmer – Fairdale High School)
- 1 p.m.: Early Dismissal
- 1:30 p.m.: “Where Art and Identity Meet” (Alicia Juarez, Dailah Dwuye and Amelia Oliver – Marion C. Moore School)
- 1:50 p.m.: “Practicing Allyship in the Face of Oppression” (Netra Rastogi – DuPont Manual High School)
- 2:15 p.m.: “Comics, Career, Identity and the Future” (Robert Middleton and Josiah Garvizu – Marion C. Moore School)
- 2:30 p.m.: Entertainment – “I Know a Place” (Cole Railey and Caleb Kennedy – Eastern High School)
- 2:45 p.m.: Closing of Festival
In 2014, the JCPS IdeaFestival evolved from the IF Manual event, a festival held at DuPont Manual High School and inspired by the official IdeaFestival. The JCPS IdeaFestival has expanded to deliver thought-provoking presentations and festivals to the entire JCPS district and private schools.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Councilwoman Jessica Green (D-1) is encouraging any job seeker out there to take advantage of the AFSCME Job Fair set for this Wednesday, February 28th.
“While we are always glad to help any group publicize employment opportunities, we shouldn’t forget there are openings in right here in Metro Government that people may not be aware of,” says Green. “Many times the difference between finding a job and getting a job is knowing what is available.”
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees will hold their Job Fair at Jefferson Square Park right across from Metro Hall between the hours of 11:00am and 1:00pm.
“AFSCME positions have been understaffed for over 2 years mainly in Metro Corrections and Youth Detention Services Departments. AFSCME has worked diligently with Metro to get these positions filled. However we’ve been met with resistance to the point we’ve filled grievance after grievance on short staffing and unsafe working,” says Saulette Davis of AFSCME. “We would like the Community to join us and stand with us in Jefferson Square Park across from the Mayor’s office to fill out applications where we will have computers set up. Under staffing means the Public is underserved!”
It is an opportunity to learn what open positions there are in Metro Government at all departments and agencies.
“So if you are interested, come check it out,” says the Councilwoman.
For more information, contact Councilwoman Green’s office at 574-1101.
The Louisville Metro Council’s Public Safety Committee will discuss the recent Accreditation Results for the Youth Detention Center when it meets on Wednesday, February 28th.
“I am very interested in hearing about the current situation with the Youth Detention Center,” says Councilwoman Jessica Green (D-10) who chairs the Committee. “There have been recent media reports which have raised some serious questions about operations there. I believe the Committee would like to get a better understanding of just what is going on since we are responsible juveniles in our custody.”
The Councilwoman has asked Dr. Ursula Mullins of Youth Detention Services to discuss the accreditation results. She will be joined by Vincent James of the Mayor’s Office. They will discuss the recently completed audit of the Center’s operations and programs.
The Public Safety Committee meets at 3:30pm in Council Chambers, Historic City Hall, 601 West Jefferson Street.
The meeting is carried live on Metro TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 184 or on UVERSE at Channel 99. All meetings of the Metro Council are streamed live. Go to the Metro Council Home page at Louisvilleky.gov/metrocouncil and click on the Metro Council Agendas link.
The Muhammad Ali Center will be closed to visitors until Tuesday, March 6th, due to the Ohio River’s historic flooding.
Rising water levels within the city-owned parking garage and elevator pits have forced the Ali Center to shut down power to its elevators. Once the flooding recedes, the Ali Center will need adequate time to clean and evaluate the safety and integrity of the elevators. There is no reported damage to the Ali Center at this time.
Donald Lassere, President and CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center, said, “The safety of the Ali Center’s visitors and employees is of the utmost importance to us, so we appreciate the public’s understanding and patience as we continue to monitor the effects that Ohio River flooding is having on our facility and the PARC garage.”
Visit alicenter.org for updates and information about the modified hours of operation.
On Monday, March 5 from 5:30-6:30 p.m., Botanica, Inc. will present a proposal to repurpose building artifacts from the Marriott block and the Board of Trade Building into the design of the future Waterfront Botanical Gardens, now under construction. The presentation will take place at a meeting of the Repurpose, Reuse, Revive (R3) working group in conference room 101 at the Metro Development Center (444 S. 5th Street). This working group aims to take a more proactive approach to protecting and preserving the city’s most historic structures. All are welcome to join the meeting and participate in the discussion.
The artifacts are currently in the city’s possession and are stored at the site of the future Waterfront Botanical Gardens and the city’s Impound Lot. The R3 working group does not have the authority to vote on this proposal but will provide Botanica, Inc. with valuable feedback and suggestions about this opportunity to reuse these pieces of our city’s history.
The R3 working group meets when the topic of artifact reuse is presented as part of a development project. The last time the group met was in 2015 to discuss the preservation and storage of artifacts from the Board of Trade building.
Photo: KFC Yum! Center
They dropped a few hints this past weekend and now it is official… Metallica’s WorldWired Tour returns to North America this Fall! Following last summer’s 25 date sold-out stadium run, this year Metallica is bringing the in-the-round production currently being seen in European arenas to the U.S. and Canada kicking off on September 2, 2018, in Madison, WI. Along the way they will be visiting 34 cities that they did not go to last year, and a few that they haven’t been to in decades, including Grand Forks, ND (nearly 30 years), Sioux Falls, SD, El Paso, TX, Birmingham, AL (nearly 26 years) and State College, PA (20 years). About time, wouldn’t you say?!
The Fall/Winter tour will mark a few firsts for the band. Each show will get rolling with the Light It Up pre-show party hosted by their very good friend Jim Breuer. Jim, along with a DJ to get the night rocking with some great tunes, hits the stage before the band with comedy, fan interaction, giveaways and much more. And if you love to travel and one show just isn’t enough, then perhaps the Wherever I May Roam Black Ticket is for you! For the first time in ‘Tallica history, you may purchase one ticket that will allow you floor access to any Metallica show on the 2018/2019 North American tour. Feel like trucking to Tulsa? Booking to Boise? Motoring to Minneapolis? No problem… you pick the show, call us no less than 48 hours before the gig and you’re in! A limited number of 250 of these Black Tickets* will be available for $598 (yes… celebrating the re-issue of the Garage Days Re-Revisited EP!). All sale dates and times below.
Of course, some things don’t change! As they have been doing for most of the WorldWired shows, every ticket purchased includes your choice of a standard physical or standard digital copy of Hardwired…To Self-Destruct. Keep it for yourself or gift it to a friend or family member. You’ll receive info via e-mail after your ticket purchase on how to obtain your copy.** The enhanced experience options designed to take your Metalli-night to the next level are also returning as Metallica continue to partner with the team that makes it all happen at CID Entertainment. You’ll have three options of special enhanced experiences, including premium tickets and amenities ranging from early access to the venue and the “Memory Remains” exhibit of memorabilia to meeting some of the band(!) For full package details, visit https://www.cidentertainment.com/events/metallica-worldwired-tour
Finally, Metallica continue to raise funds for their All Within My Hands Foundation, which supports a cross-section of national, local and Bay Area charities, music education programs and local food banks. Continuing their collaboration with Crowdrise, Metallica encourage you to make a donation when purchasing tickets to the upcoming shows and each time you donate, you’ll be entered to win tickets, pre-show party passes, meet and greet passes, and one lucky winner will be flown to the last show on the tour. For more information, visit https://www.crowdrise.com/Metallica2018
“Enough!” you say. “How do I get tickets?” Presales for Fan Club members begin tomorrow, February 27th. Visit https://metallica.com/metclub for all the details. Citi card members may purchase tickets beginning at 11:00 AM local time tomorrow, February 27th and Spotify will have pre-sale tickets starting on Wednesday February 28th. For a complete list of other presales, visit https://metallica.com Public on-sale begins Friday, March 2nd at 10:00 AM local time.
*“Wherever I May Roam” Black Tickets are non-transferable and if re-sold will be revoked. Each ticket is good for entry to Metallica specific shows and may not be used for festivals, promotional shows, benefit concerts or any other dates not included in the 34 city North American tour announced on February 26, 2018. Use of a Black Ticket will require a reservation for each show you plan to attend no less than 48 hours in advance. More details about how to use your Black Ticket will be sent to purchasers via e-mail.
**Every ticket purchased through official outlets includes your choice of a standard physical or standard digital copy of Hardwired…To Self-Destruct. Fans should expect to receive information from Warner Music Artist Services on how to redeem their albums WITHIN 21 business days after their purchase. Full details of how you can gift the album, should you have already purchased, will be given on the redemption page.
Joined by representatives from local organizations and volunteer committees, Mayor Greg Fischer today announced plans for his 2018 Give A Day week of service.
This year’s Give A Day week is set for April 14-22, although the Mayor noted that many projects will be under way earlier, to avoid conflicts with Thunder over Louisville at the end of the week. Give A Day is an official Kentucky Derby Festival event, and kicks off the festival season.
This year’s Give A Day week also leads into the 2018 Festival of Faiths, another volunteer-driven event.
“The people of Louisville give of their time, talent and treasure every single day, which is how we’ve earned recognition as an International Model City of Compassion year after year,” the Mayor said. “The Give A Day week of service is our way to showcase and celebrate all those great efforts in one week. I am so grateful for all those who help make this annual event bigger every year.”
Give a Day started in 2011 as a one-day call to serve others. Last year’s Give A Day Week of Service produced a world-record 180,000 volunteers and acts of compassion. Mayor Fischer said this year’s goal is to top that, with even more volunteers, donations and other good deeds.
The ultimate goal, he said, is to see compassion spread, and he pointed to the OGO JAR project being spearheaded by Global Game Changers Student Empowerment Program in collaboration with Lead2Feed Student Leadership Program. This year, all 130,000+ K-12 students enrolled in JCPS, Archdiocese of Louisville and independent and private schools will be invited to participate in this project, which encourages students and educators to create and sustain a culture of kindness, recognition and gratitude.
Other projects this year include:
- The annual Walk of Compassion, a short, student-led walk through downtown on April 17 that is part of the international WE Day. Downtown workers and others are invited to join more than 4,000 students participating in the lunch-time walk, which is sponsored by WLKY. WE Day is a celebration for our young people in grades 3-12 who have committed themselves to community service. They are already collecting hygiene products to be shared with JCPS’ resource centers and the community. Highland Cleaners has agreed to serve as the drop-off center for citizens wanting to contribute.
- The Build A Bed project, which is a JCPS-AmeriCorps-sponsored effort to build beds for children who otherwise don’t have one. New this year, volunteers will be building about a half dozen bunk beds. With the support of nearly a dozen local companies, including K&I Lumber, this project provides a bed, bedding, books and stuffed animals – some of the basics of a good night’s sleep. The first Build a Bed event in Louisville was hosted by JCPS Office of Community Support Services in 2012 and has grown, with volunteers and agencies setting up events throughout the year.
During a kickoff press conference held today at the Boys and Girls Haven, Mayor Fischer praised community organizations like the YMCA for their leadership, and he specifically called out Metro United Way, which this year celebrates its 100th anniversary, for its unflagging support of Give A Day.
“We’re proud to support our community in solving problems through volunteer service all year round,” said Theresa Reno-Weber, president and CEO of Metro United Way. “As a part of that continuous work, we are excited to again serve as the backbone of Mayor’s Give A Day by connecting volunteers to meaningful opportunities to give back and address the needs of our neighbors. Connecting people with the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done is at the heart of what we do in our fight for the education, financial stability and health of every person in our seven county region.”
The Mayor also praised the community’s schoolchildren, both public and private, for their support and involvement in Give A Day, noting that they are responsible for a huge percentage of the volunteers and acts of compassion counted every year.
“Last year, we had 100 percent participation from our schools, and our students donated the equivalent of 1,145 days of service – that’s more than two years of service projects in just one day,” said Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio. “We are proud of what our students and staff were able to accomplish and the difference we made in the neighborhoods surrounding our schools. This is a perfect way for us to give back to our community – a community that steps up and supports our students throughout the year.”
“Service and outreach are important components of Catholic schools throughout the year, and schools in the Archdiocese of Louisville look forward to participating in Mayor Fisher’s Give a Day week of service,” said Leisa Schulz, Superintendent of Catholic schools. “Catholic schools will be engaging in activities throughout the community.”
Also today, Mayor Fischer announced the formation of a founding Give A Day Board whose purpose is to sustain and grow the great service and compassion work that has taken place over the past 7 years. Mary Pat Regan will chair this founding board.
Individuals or groups wanting to find a project for Give A Day week are encouraged to visit http://www.mygiveaday.com where projects and needs submitted by local non-profit agencies and other groups are listed. There you can also record your acts of compassion.
The Mayor urged individuals and companies to use the website to report their own community service. “If your church or civic group is doing a project that week, let us know about it so it can count toward our new world record,” he said.
The Brightside and Passport Health Plan Community-Wide Cleanup on April 14 is one of the most popular ways to participate in Give A Day. Every year, thousands help clean up neighborhoods, schools and parks. To learn more:https://louisvilleky.gov/government/brightside/brightside-passport-healt…
Companies and organizations of all sizes also will have employee teams in action, including GE, Computershare, UPS and Ford.
Mayor Fischer said having Give A Day week as the lead-up to the Kentucky Derby Festival helps put Louisville’s caring deeds in the world spotlight. And Festival president and CEO Mike Berry said the timing is perfect.
“With more than 70 events to produce each year, we couldn’t do it without our large network of volunteers,” Berry said. “It’s a real tribute to this community that we have so many people living and working here who are willing to give of themselves to make our city a better and more caring place.”