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Photo: The Kentucky Center
While he may be best known for his decades-long tenure behind The Tonight Show desk, Jay Leno cut his teeth as one of the most incisive comedy voices of the ‘70s and 80s . His new stand-up comedy tour reminds his fans why he became a household name in the first place!
Get tickets starting Friday, September 22, at 10 a.m., through The Kentucky Center Ticket Service online, by phone (584-7777), and at the box office (501 W. Main Street).
As an acclaimed TV late night show host, admired stand-up comedian, best-selling children’s book author, speaker, philanthropist and the host of the Emmy winning series “Jay Leno’s Garage” on CNBC, it’s no wonder that Jay Leno has always been widely characterized as “the hardest working man in show business.”
This Television Hall of Fame inductee exudes his everyman style and personality which has earned him millions of fans worldwide. He has been touted as one of the nicest people in show business and says “Anyone can have a life – careers are hard to come by!”
Free music returns to Old Louisville when two very popular bands bring entertainment to Central Park this Friday, September 22nd and Saturday, September 23rd. The Louisville Crashers and Quiet Hollers with Fredrick the Younger highlight this weekend’s Old Louisville LIVE.
“Old Louisville is once again the place to be this coming weekend with two local musical groups that have brought attention to the music scene right here in Louisville,” says Councilman David James (D-6). “It is also another great way to get out and enjoy one of the best places in our city: Old Louisville.”
Old Louisville LIVE kicks off this Friday at 7:00pm with the Louisville Crashers and then on Saturday from 8:00 to 11:00pm with Quiet Hollers. Admission to both concerts is FREE.
“Central Park is a great place to enjoy a wide range of entertainment and events and we strive throughout the year to showcase what a great place Old Louisville is for everyone in the community,” says Howard Rosenberg, President of the Old Louisville Neighborhood Council.
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.
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, Ollie Green and Company, CPA’s szand BC Plumbing.
For the latest updates about Old Louisville LIVE, visit Old Louisville Neighborhood Council’s website http://oldlouisville.org/ and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/oldlouisvilleneighborhood.
The Metro Council’s Public Safety Committee will learn more about Jefferson County’s “C.A.M.P” (Continuous Alcohol Monitoring Program) at its regular meeting on Wednesday, September 20th
“These kinds of programs are now a part of law enforcement and public safety in the 21st Century and I believe it is important that the Committee get a full understanding of how it operates and what the specific goals are to keep the community safe,” says Councilman David James (D-6).
Judge Stephanie Pearce Burke, Jefferson District Court, Jefferson County Drug/Specialty Courts, will be on hand to answer questions about the program as well as Matthew Mitchell, Director of Evidence Based Practices, SCRAM Systems, and Jen Rankin, Program Development Manager, SCRAM Systems.
Similar criteria-based programs across the country have resulted in the significant reduction of drunk driving and alcohol-related crashes. Research shows that the use of a continuous alcohol monitoring bracelet for a period of 90 days significantly reduces the probability of recidivism among high risk DUI offenders. Recidivism rates for repeat DUI offenders who wear the bracelet for at least 90 days are 50% less than those who do not utilize the technology.
“With the implementation of C.A.M.P., the Jefferson County courts are now utilizing technology in efforts to reduce recidivism in DUI offenders, with the goal of increasing public safety,” says Judge Burke.
Most repeat DUI offenders do not have the internal motivation to stay sober. C.A.M.P. will aid defendants by reinforcing sobriety. The certainty of detection is a powerful deterrent and motivator to stay sober when one does not have the internal motivation or tools to do so on their own. As a direct result, public safety is greatly improved and the offender is more likely to be successful in their recovery efforts.
The Public Safety Committee will meet at 3:30pm in the Council Chambers, Historic City Hall, 601 West Jefferson Street.
All Metro Council Committee meetings are carried live on Metro TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 184 and on UVERSE Channel 99.
You can watch the meetings online by going to the Metro Council home page at http://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council/metro-council-clerk and click the “Watch Meetings Online” button.
The Metro Council’s Budget and Government Accountability, Ethics and Intergovernmental Affairs Committees will focus learning about proposed changes to the pension system, the possibility of separating the County Employment Retirement System (CERS) from the Kentucky Employee Retirement System (KERS) and future costs associated with the pension system during back to back meetings on Thursday, September 21st.
At 4:00 PM, the Budget Committee is hosting the Kentucky League of Cities Government Affairs Manager Bryanna Carroll for a comprehensive review of the pension system and proposed changes.
“Metro Louisville is not the only city dealing with this issue,” says Councilwoman Marianne Butler (D-15), who chairs the Budget Committee. “It is important that we understand the impact the pension will have on future budgets from a monetary as well as a recruitment and retention basis.”
At 5:00 PM, or immediately following the discussion, the Council’s Government Accountability, Ethics and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee will discuss a resolution urging the General Assembly to separate CERS from KERS. Reports indicate that CERS is funded at greater than 60% while the beleaguered KERS is funded at less than 20%. The resolution is sponsored by the respective Caucus leaders Councilmen Bill Hollander (D-9) and Robin Engel (R-22).
“With a proposed Special Session planned for the coming weeks to review possible reforms, this resolution is very timely and other cities and county governments are advocating the separation to state lawmakers,” says Councilman Pat Mulvihill (D-10), the Chair of the Committee.
State Budget Director John Chilton recently estimated that Louisville Metro might possibly have to contribute nearly $50 million to cover Metro’s pension obligation.
All Metro Council Committee meetings are carried live on Metro TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 184 and on UVERSE Channel 99.
You can watch the meetings online by going to the Metro Council home page at http://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council/metro-council-clerk and click the “Watch Meetings Online” button
Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM) is deploying our own Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) coordinator to provide assistance to Florida through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). Mr. Jim Garrett, the KYEM VOAD coordinator, deployed Sunday and will fulfill a 12 day deployment assisting the Army Corps of Engineers to work on the Blue Roofs project, which helps put blue tarps on the roofs of damaged homes. Kentucky is one of only a few states, nationwide, which employs a full-time volunteer coordinator.
Additionally, the ambulance strike team that was deployed last week has fulfilled its deployment and returned to Kentucky safely on Sunday. Michael Dossett, director of KYEM, stated “We are thankful for the safe return of our first responders and appreciative of their volunteerism in leaving their homes and families to help our sister states in their time of need.”
Michael Poynter, director of Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services (KBEMS) stated, “We were honored to assist Florida during Hurricane Imra relief efforts. We were well received by their first responder community and know that should Kentucky ever need assistance in the future, they would be there to help us in our time of need.”
Assistance requests are coordinated and authorized through EMAC, which is a mutual aid agreement between states and territories in the United States. It enables states to share resources during natural and man-made disasters. Under EMAC agreements, the requesting state reimburses all associated costs incurred by the provider state. KYEM is the managing authority for deployment of all Kentucky teams and assets.
Florida Emergency Management reminds residents to use caution and check road status before returning home. Use http://FL511.com for road information and check county government or emergency webpages to see if it is safe before returning to your home.
Additional information about KYEM can be found at www.kyem.ky.gov.
Following an extensive community engagement effort and a detailed review conducted by a committee of Metro staff and citizen volunteers, Mayor Greg Fischer today announced that the Louisville Urban League has been selected to develop a state-of-the-art multi-sports complex anchored by an indoor track and field facility on the 24-acre Heritage West property located at 3029 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd.
“The Urban League’s plan reflects the community’s desire for a project that will bring immediate life to this key piece of land, and provide healthy outlets for youth and adults to engage in a variety of sports and other activities,” said the Mayor. “This is an exciting process, and I look forward to returning to this site soon to break ground on a new development that brings the vision and values of the people of Russell to life.”
The complex will be designed to host a variety of sporting events potentially sponsored by organizations such as USA Track and Field (USATF), the National College Athletics Association (NCAA), colleges and universities, and local and regional public and private schools. The facility also will feature retail space and related amenities.
“We are thrilled to be chosen as the development partner for the Heritage West property,” said Sadiqa Reynolds, President and CEO of the Louisville Urban League. “This project will bring 20,000 visitors with disposable income into Louisville and more importantly into west Louisville. Louisville will be a U.S. track and field destination.”
(Learn more about the Louisville Urban League’s plan)
The total project cost is expected to be $30 million.
Heritage West is located on the western border of the Russell neighborhood, which is currently seeing unprecedented levels of investment, including the $29.5 million mixed-income, mixed-use redevelopment of Beecher Terrace, a project expected to leverage at least $200 million in new investment; Waterfront Park Phase Four expansion; relocation of Passport Health Plan’s headquarters; and construction of a new YMCA at 18th and Broadway.
“The community has anxiously awaited an exciting development and concept for the property that will help transform the neighborhood and help put west Louisville on the map,” said Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton, District 5. “We hope that this athletic facility project will become a reality for Heritage West and will be a place to help our young people realize their dreams.”
The city began the Heritage West redevelopment process in March, when it issued a Solicitation of Interest that drew four innovative and exciting proposals, one of which was eventually withdrawn. More than 125 public comments were received on the four proposals.
The West Louisville Community Council (WLCC), a grassroots organization of residents, neighborhood associations, places of worship, educational and cultural institutions, focused on responsible, citizen-engaged redevelopment of vacant and abandoned properties in west Louisville, has been a key partner throughout the review and engagement process.
The WLCC has co-hosted community visioning meetings and public review meetings for the Heritage West Property, and sponsored an art contest that led to the renaming of the site as “Heritage West.”
“Positive outcomes can be achieved when community, organizations, and government agencies strategize collectively around issues impacting people. Heritage West is an example of how our collective resources can spur transformation within a community,” said Natasha Cummins, Chair of the Executive Committee, WLCC. “Today marks the day where the community’s voice was heard and decision makers took heed. We support this announcement and know that this initiative will create a positive vibe in our community and gain national recognition. West Louisville Community Council will continue to work closely with all involved and expect Heritage West to focus on community benefits as the project evolves.”
To read more about the project, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/sites/default/files/advanced_planning/lul_track…
Maya Williamson was struggling, even homeless briefly, and wasn’t sure she would ever realize her dream of going to college. Then, she connected with a Louisville program that helped her get financial aid and stay on track with her studies. Now, Maya is pursuing a business degree at Jefferson Community & Technical College, planning to be the first in her family to graduate college.
Maya says the support she got from the KentuckianaWorks College Access Center (KCAC) made the difference.
“I don’t think I would have made it to college without all their help,” she said.
The KCAC provides a variety of free services that help people go to college, including help in applying for financial aid, and in finding and enrolling in the school that’s right for them. This past year, the center assisted more than 3,000 people — more than two-thirds of them were lower-income, and 83 percent were the first in their family to attend college.
Mayor Greg Fischer joined the KCAC adult program’s staff, clients and partners in marking its 40th year of operation by dedicating new and improved space in the ArtSpace Building at 323 W. Broadway, next to the Brown Theater.
“Helping people realize their dream of higher education is not only critical for each student and their family, it’s critical to building a stronger workforce and economy,” the Mayor said. “It’s also key to building safer neighborhoods because greater education leads to better jobs and careers that can break the cycle of poverty, hopelessness and violence.”
A critical time for people wanting to attend college begins October 1, when the application for federal student financial aid, known as FAFSA, can be filed.
“Getting financial aid is a key component to make your dreams of college a reality,” said Lashala Goodwin, executive director of KCAC. “Our counselors can guide you through the process and maximize your chances of getting funding and other support.”
Goodwin said many schools require a completed FAFSA form to be eligible for any type of student aid, including grants, work-study, student loans and scholarships. And it’s especially important to act quickly in Kentucky, which is one of only a few states that awards financial aid on a first-come, first-serve basis. People who wait to file the FAFSA could lose out on state support for their education.
KCAC, which is funded by federal TRIO grants, operates two programs, including one that focuses on helping adults 19 and older like Williamson go to college.
A second program works directly with high school students, grades 9-12, helping them keep on track with their studies and develop a plan for college. Program counselors are based in five JCPS schools: Fairdale, Iroquois, Liberty, Valley and Western, and worked one-on-one with more than 800 students during the last school year.
Those seeking assistance through KCAC can contact the center at (502) 584-0475 or go to kentuckianaworks.org/KCAC. There is no charge for any of the services.
The program’s new space on Broadway also houses KentuckianaWorks’ Degrees Work program, which helps boost college attainment by contracting directly with employers such as Humana, Universal Woods and Louisville Metro Government to help their employees return to college.
Both the KCAC and Degrees Work are important contributors to the work being done by 55,000 Degrees, the city’s education movement.
