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The Public Safety Committee of the Louisville Metro Council has invited Judge Denise Brown, of Jefferson Family Court to talk about the Jefferson Family Recovery Court program when it meets on Wednesday, September 19th.
“It is important we learn more about deterrent programs which will allow the victims of substance abuse to get the help they need and keep families together,” says Councilwoman Jessica Green, who chairs the Committee. “Judge Brown will tell us about the program which uses a family centered collaborative approach to families involved in the dependency, neglect and abuse that have been impacted by parental substance abuse.”
According to Jefferson Family Court, JFRC is a response to the high percentage of substantiated child abuse and neglect cases that involve substance use by a parent. Over 90% of children in state custody have parents with drug/alcohol addiction.
The Public Safety Committee will meet 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 www.Louisvilleky.gov/metrocouncil and click on the Metro Council Agendas link.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
It is a powerful visual art exhibit and its message is a simple one to the young people of every black community in America. The message: youth violence, black on black violence must stop. It is time to talk and find alternatives.
Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton (D-5) and members of the Louisville Metro Council have brought “James Pate’s KKK Series: Kin Killin Kin” to the Kentucky Center for African American heritage and encourages everyone to view and discuss the exhibit and through the art see the impact violence on is having on young men and children in the community.
It is a free exhibit and suggested for children over the age of twelve. There will be an Opening Reception and Gallery Talk on Friday, September 21st from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
“I first saw this exhibit in Cincinnati. It hit home with me. We know that black on black crime is stealing our future,” says Hamilton. “James Pate through his art shows what is happening on our streets and how senseless violence is taking hold in the Black Community.”
“Kin Killin Kin” is a series of paintings in charcoals and colors that realistically show how violence is impacting young men and children. A stark feature of the works shows African Americans wearing the hoods of the Ku Klux Klan as they execute acts of violence.
James Pate is a contemporary visual artist whose works have been displayed in the J.B. Speed Museum in Louisville, The Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery, and The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis.
He explains, as part of the exhibit, his reason for creating “Kin Killin Kin” which he began drawing in 2000.
“I decided as a personal private protest I would continue to compose a rendering as long as these insidious acts continue. The concept of visually comparing Black on Black terrorism to the Ku Klux Klan terrorism came directly from conversations among the black community. It is often said that we, African Americans, in a strange fruit kind of way, are doing the business of the KKK with our Black on Black violence.”
Joining Councilwoman Hamilton in bringing this exhibit to the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage Center are Council Members Barbara Sexton Smith (D-4), Mary C. Woolridge (D-3), Barbara Shanklin (D-2), Jessica Green (D-1) and President David James (D-6).
Again, the Exhibit is free and open to the public.
There will be an Opening Reception and Gallery Talk on Friday, September 21st from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
Councilwoman Hamilton is also moderating a Youth Voices Against Violence Forum on Saturday, November 3rd from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.
“I encourage everyone young an old to take advantage of the special exhibit,” says Hamilton. “These striking images will make any one stop and think about what is going on in our city today. All of us need to talk about it and find alternatives to this special kind of violence.”
The Kentucky Center for African American Heritage is located at 1701 West Muhammad Ali Blvd. To learn more go to www.kcaahc.org. Or you can call 502-583-4100.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Free music returns to Old Louisville when “In Lightning” performs some new laid back tunes as Old Louisville LIVE returns to Central Park on Friday August 31st.
“Old Louisville is once again the place to as we offer the community free music on a Friday night in one of the best neighborhoods in Metro Louisville,” says Councilman David James (D-6). “The Old Louisville Neighborhood Council is hosting this event as a great way to kick back and enjoy a Friday night and start the weekend off right.”
Old Louisville LIVE kicks off this Friday at 7:00pm with “In Lightning” debuting new music as play a wide variety of groovy, rockin’, cinematic music. Flow artists will be on hand spinning LED hoops and batons in the dark as part of the band’s show.
Admission to the concert is FREE.
All Old Louisville LIVE shows will take place at the C. Douglas Ramey Amphitheater in Central Park, are free, and open to public. Food and drink will be available for purchase.
Old Louisville LIVE Performance Schedule:
- Friday August 31, 8:00-11:00 p.m. In Lightning
- Friday September 7, 8:00-11:00 p.m. Junior J and Shania Robinson
- Saturday, September 15, 5-10:00 p.m. Hal & Ben’s BIKE-IN
- Saturday, September 22, 7:00-10:00 p.m. Monarchs
- Friday, September 28, 7:00-10:00pm Moondance
Joining Councilman James and the OLNC as sponsors are Louisville Metro Government, The 1300 Association, South Third Street Association, South Fourth Street Association, Garvin Gate Neighborhood Association, Belgravia Association, St. James Court Association, Treyton Oak Towers, Genscape, Paradise Tomato Kitchens, Central Park West Neighborhood Association, and BC Plumbing.
For the latest updates about Old Louisville LIVE visit Old Louisville Neighborhood Council’s website, oldlouisville.org or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/OldLouisvilleNeighborhood.
Mayor Greg Fischer and Louisville Parks Foundation CEO, Brooke Pardue were joined by Councilman Bill Hollander and the local skateboarding community to unveil the Breslin Park Skate Spot, the latest public park to receive added amenities funded by the Louisville Parks Foundation.
The $95,000 skate spot, built and designed by Hunger Skateparks, of Bloomington, IN, is the first of its kind in the region. Unlike larger skate parks, the skate-able art sculpture is designed for all levels, making it appropriate for beginners and experts alike. This completes the first phase of the Foundation’s Breslin Park 2.0 Project, which includes a state-of-the-art shade structure to follow.
“Many people aren’t aware of this, but Breslin Park was home to Louisville’s original skatepark.” Said Pardue, “There is a rich history of skating in this park and I have been overwhelmed with the positive response I have received from generations of street skaters in our community. I’m glad we listened and were able to provide them with something we can all feel good about.”
“This new skate spot, in conjunction with the Louisville Extreme Park, is going to put Louisville on the map for people looking for a quality skate experience.” Said Noah Hulsman, owner of Home Skateshop. “And we are committed to keeping Breslin Park clean and safe for all park users.”
Funding for the project is the result of a partnership between the Louisville Parks Foundation, a non-profit that supports Louisville Parks and Recreation, Home Skateshop, Councilman Bill Hollander, Grind Burgers, Spinelli’s Pizza, Vegan Jerky Company, and individual donors.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
As summer winds down, Central Park in Old Louisville is the perfect place to enjoy what continues to be a nice tradition of great jazz music in a great setting. President David James (D-6) once again presents “Jazz in Central Park” on Sunday, August 26th.
“This is a perfect way to enjoy a Sunday afternoon with a wide variety of music and entertainment, and best of all its free and open to any and every one,” says James. “Bring some friends or the family to Central Park and back and listen to some of the best artists in jazz the area has to offer.”
“Jazz in Central Park” will be held from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. This year’s event is hosted by Dawne Gee of WAVE TV, Miss Krystal of 104.7FM.
The following artists will be featured this year:
- The Groove Masters
- Jamey Ambersold
- Syreeta Thompson & TRI+ADD
- Marcus Click & Friends
- Kiko Serbrian & Band
- The Urban Jazz Coalition
Local Food Vendors will also be on hand for the afternoon.
“If you have a love of jazz and want to kick back and enjoy a nice Sunday evening, Central Park is the place to be with these great artists and the hospitality of the people of Old Louisville,” says James. “So please, come and join us.”
Joining President James as sponsors of this year’s event are Brown-Forman, Clariant, and Walmart.
Central Park is located at1340 South 4th Street in Old Louisville.
For more information about “Jazz in Central Park”, contact Councilman James’ office at 574-1106.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
The California Neighborhood is ready to come together with pride and unity as one of Louisville’s oldest communities when Councilman David James (D-6) hosts the Annual California Day Celebration on Saturday, August 25th.
“The people of the California Neighborhood take one day in August to show everyone what makes it a great neighborhood in Metro Louisville. It’s a spirit of togetherness pride and unity in the community,” says James. “So on this day there will be time for the community to enjoy that with local community vendors, fun for children of all ages, music, entertainment and food in the natural beauty of California Park.”
The 2018 California Day Celebration will be held from 12:00pm until 10:00pm. There will be fun activities for the kids and families with a bouncy house, tug-of-war and kick ball.
Free food will be served from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. Local Food Trucks will be available, with separate business rates, for those who want something more.
As for music, DJ and the LFW Band from Nashville, Tennessee will be providing music and fun throughout the day.
There will be information vendors on hand from the Chestnut Street YMCA, Passport, Wheatley elementary PTA and Neighborhood Place. The Louisville Department of Public Health and Wellness will be providing Hepatitis A vaccines as well.
“As the summer winds down, the California Neighborhood is ready to come together, kick back and relax and enjoy an old fashioned neighborhood get together.”
All events are free and open to the public.
California Park is located at 1104 South 16th Street
If you would like more information about California Day, contact Councilman James’ office at 574-1106.
On Saturday, August 25th more than 300 motorcycles are expected to hit the road as “Riders for Heroes” begins its fund raising efforts to help local first responders and veterans organizations.
It is the beginning of an event to honor those who put their lives on the line every day with an afternoon of fun and live music.
“I am honored to join UAW Local 862 and its members in celebrating the third year of this event,” says President David James (D-6). “Riders for Heroes is a chance for all of us to say thank you to dedicated police officers, fire fighters EMS workers and veterans. They sacrifice so much for us, now is the time to give them a helping hand.”
The Third Annual Riders for Heroes will feature a bike ride, bike rally, bike and car show, live music and fun for a full day events on the last Saturday of August.
“This event began as a way for the UAW’s members, who enjoy riding motorcycles, to help people in the community and we don’t believe there has ever been a ride for the first responders in our area,” says Todd Dunn of UAW Local 862. “This is way to raise funding for their organizations and charities to help take care of the needs of those who serve and protect our community.”
The event beings at 8:00am at Bluegrass Harley Davidson on Blankenbaker Parkway with registration for a ride to Elizabethtown to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Kick stands up at 9:00am.
Then, the rally gets underway at2:00pm at Expo Five located at 2900 Seventh Street Road. The entry fee to the show is $10. Preregistration is $20 and includes a rally shirt. It costs $10 if you would like to place an entry for the Bike and Car Show.
“The UAW has been working with us on Operation Victory, which is a program of unions, community groups, and businesses working together to renovate homes for homeless veterans in Metro Louisville,” says Tim Morris of the Greater Louisville Central Labor Council. “We owe it to our veterans, to help them through this ride and through programs like Operation Victory.”
Schedule of events for Riders for Heroes:
- 8:00am register for the Bike Ride to Elizabethtown
- 9:00am Riders depart Bluegrass Harley Davidson
- 12:00pm Bike and Car Show Registration begins
- 2:00pm Rally Begins at 2900 Seventh Street Road
- 3:00pm Bands Begin
The event will be held rain or shine. Proceeds raised will go to local first responder groups and local veterans.
For more information, go to: https://www.facebook.com/ridersforheroes/ or contact President James office at 574-1106.
