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Nominations are now being accepted for Kentucky’s most distinguished awards honoring excellence for the preservation and rehabilitation of historic buildings, and cultural and archaeological sites. Presented annually since 1979, the Ida Lee Willis Memorial Foundation Historic Preservation Awards ceremony will take place this May in Frankfort during National Historic Preservation Month.
The awards are named for Kentucky’s first state historic preservation officer and recognize contributions to preserving our collective heritage at the local level and throughout the Commonwealth via personal commitment, investment, advocacy, volunteerism, building partnerships, public involvement, lifelong dedication or significant achievement. The Ida Lee Willis Memorial Foundation hosts the event in partnership with the Kentucky Heritage Council/State Historic Preservation Office (KHC).
Awards are presented in four categories, and all nominations must be received in the KHC office or postmarked by Friday, April 20. Guidelines, nomination form, submittal instructions and more about previous recipients are available at www.heritage.ky.gov.
Preservation Project awards honor outstanding examples of rehabilitation, restoration and adaptive reuse including, in 2017, a former lumber mill in Covington converted into a community placemaking hub, a Paducah Coca-Cola Plant restored to its former Art Deco glory, the painstaking rebuilding of iconic Rabbit Hash General Store following a fire, and a former Odd Fellows Hall in downtown Paris converted to apartments and retail.
Service to Preservation awards recognize individuals, organizations, nonprofits, public officials, financial institutions, news media, volunteers and others whose contributions have had a positive impact in their communities. In 2017 these included a Midway couple honored for their hands-on rehabilitation of multiple family homes, two Lexington neighborhood associations documenting their African American heritage, and the annual University of Kentucky Historic Preservation Symposium.
The Ida Lee Willis Memorial Award goes to the individual who has demonstrated outstanding dedication to the cause of historic preservation in the Commonwealth. Last year, Linda Bruckheimer of Bloomfield was recognized for more than two decades of preservation philanthropy, investment and advocacy.
Grassroots Awards are given at the selection committee’s discretion and honor those who have committed their personal time and resources to successfully take on a challenge that addresses a preservation issue at the most fundamental level, such as, in 2017, a Mt. Washington youth group that preserved a historic limestone mile marker and a Johnson County man who extensively restored an all-wood vernacular frame structure.
The memorial foundation was chartered in 1979 to honor the late Ida Lee Willis, the first executive director of the Kentucky Heritage Commission (now Kentucky Heritage Council). Current board members are Stephen L. Collins of Shelbyville, chair; William Averell of Frankfort, vice chair; Barbara Hulette of Danville, secretary; Robert Griffith of Louisville, treasurer; and Christopher J. Black, Paducah; Marion Forcht, Corbin; Jolene Greenwell and Charles W. Stewart, Frankfort; Alice Willett Heaton, Bardstown; David L. Morgan and Charles Parrish, Louisville; Donna Horn-Taylor, Springfield; and Milton and Anne Thompson, Washington, D.C.
Churchill Downs announced Champions Day presented by Twinspires.com, a new Derby Week event that will take place at the racetrack on Tuesday, May 1, 2018. Champions Day will delight Kentucky Derby fans by celebrating the greatest moments in the sport’s history and honoring its legendary jockeys and trainers. Gates open at 11:00 a.m., first post at 12:45 p.m. Tickets start at $10 at www.KentuckyDerbyWeek.com.
In addition to a full day of live Thoroughbred races, this must-see event for any racing fan will offer guests the opportunity to meet famed Derby and Oaks-winning jockeys and trainers. These horse racing legends will be in the Plaza and Paddock from 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Guests can purchase a collectible poster for the jockeys and trainers to sign. Proceeds from the poster sales will benefit the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.
Featured jockeys include Pat Day, winner of the Kentucky Oaks in 1988 and 2000 and the Kentucky Derby in 1992; Gary Stevens, winner of the Kentucky Oaks in 1986 and 1999 and the Kentucky Derby in 1988, 1995, and 1997; and Craig Perret who won the 1990 Kentucky Derby. Hall of Famers D. Wayne Lukas, a four-time Kentucky Derby winner in 1988, 1995, 1996 and 1999, and Carl Nafzger, who trained the 1990 and 2007 Kentucky Derby winners, will be two of several featured trainers.
Champions Day guests are invited to learn from the best in the business at the Advanced Insider Handicapping Seminar presented by Twinspires.com in the Aristides Lounge from 12:00 p.m. – 12:40 p.m. “At the Races” host Steve Byk and clocker and bloodstock agent, Gary Young, will share their expertise on Derby Week handicapping. Two of the most respected handicappers in the game, Byk’s “At the Races” is Thoroughbred racing’s longest running and best known daily radio news magazine, while horses recommended by Young have accounted for three Breeders Cup and 17 Grade I races.
Derby history enthusiasts will especially enjoy the Big Board on Champions Day as it brings Kentucky Derby history to life. The Kentucky Derby Museum and Churchill Downs have curated captivating oral history, fascinating trivia and archived footage of the sport’s most sensational moments to share throughout the day.
Fans who want to take advantage of everything that Champions Day and Tuesday of Derby Week have to offer can purchase the “Ultimate Champions Experience.” This $250 special ticket package includes:
- “Inside The Vault” tour at the Kentucky Derby Museum with its curators to visit rare racing artifacts not currently on display to the public
- A seat in the Stakes Room Veranda during Champions Day
- An exclusive meet and greet with legendary jockeys and trainers·
- All day access to the Kentucky Derby Museum
The First 20 guests to purchase Ultimate Champions Experience tickets will receive one admission pass to the Derby Post Draw at 11:00 a.m. on Champions Day. www.KentuckyDerbyWeek.com.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Councilwoman Cindi Fowler is inviting residents of District 14 to take part in her next Community Forum on Tuesday, March 20th as a way of bringing an issue or concern to her attention and the attention of Metro Government.
“These forums are part of my goal to always stay in touch with the people of District 14,” says Fowler. “I want to make sure everyone knows the latest update on repaving of Dixie Highway and other ongoing programs that affect this area.”
The next “Fowler Forum Community Meeting” will be held at Valley High School’s Conrad Bachmann Auditorium, 10200 Dixie Highway, beginning at 6:30pm.
Representatives from LMPD, Code Enforcement, MSD, and two representatives of Louisville Public Works and Assets will be in attendance to talk about Dixie Highway and other issues.
The Councilwoman says if the public has other issues of concern, this is a way to let her know how you feel about an issue.
For more information about the Fowler Forum, contact Councilwoman Fowler’s office at 574-1114.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Councilwoman Madonna Flood (D-24) announces the 2018 ‘Doing Our Part from the Heart” Campaign will be extended through April as a way to help the brave service men and women who are serving their country in some of the most dangerous spots in the world.
“I am very pleased with the response from the community with the collections that have been made so far,” says Flood who kicked off this year’s effort on February 14th. “We have been very fortunate that the weather has worked in our favor this year. We still would like to send as much as we can to make life a little easier for our troops.”
The Councilwoman says the extra time will allow for the community to collect more items to be sent off to those in the military. The new deadline is April 14th.
Joining Flood as sponsors of the 2018 campaign are the Okolona Business Association, the Okolona Fire Department, Republic Bank, Scheller’s Fitness and Cycling, PARC and Jackson-Hewitt Tax Service and Wesley Manor. The campaign runs through the end of March.
If you cannot donate items and wish to make cash contributions to help cover the cost of shipping, Republic Bank continues its partnership by setting up an account to accept all monetary donations to cover postage for the items going overseas. Every package cost $17.40 to send. Make sure to note on the check “From the Heart” account at these locations:
- Outer Loop 4808 Outer Loop, 40219
Shepherdsville 438 Hwy 44, Shepherdsville 40165
Corporate 601 W Market St, 40202
Brownsboro Rd 4921 Brownsboro Rd, 40222
J-Town 3811 Ruckreigel Pkwy, 40299
Dixie 5250 Dixie Hwy, 40216
Here is a list of items needed that can be dropped off at a “Doing Our Part” location:
- Chewing Gum/Mints/Lifesavers/other candies that will not melt
- Deodorant
- Lotion
- Foot Powder
- Razors
- Body Wash
- Band-Aids
- Q-Tips
- Bug Repellant with DEET
- Eye Drops
- Hand Sanitizer
- Wet Ones
- Kool-aide or Gatorade individual packs
- Peanut Butter
- Individual snacks, chips, nuts, pretzels
- Neosporin
- Sun Block/After Sun lotion
- Nasal Spray
- Tylenol/Pain Relievers
Here are the drop-off locations for the 2018 Doing Our Part from the Heart Campaign:
- Republic Bank “From the Heart Account” at all Republic Banks
- Okolona Fire Department 8501 Preston Highway, Louisville
- Scheller’s Fitness & Cycling
- 8323 Preston Highway, Louisville
- 11520 Shelbyville Road, Louisville
- 1000 Veterans Parkway, Clarksville
- Jackson-Hewitt All Locations in Louisville and Southern Indiana
- Wesley Manor 5012 East Manslick Road
- City Hall 601 West Jefferson, Louisville
For more information about the 2018 “Doing Our Part from the Heart” Campaign, contact Councilwoman Flood’s office at 574-1124. You can visit the Councilwoman’s webpage at http://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council-district-24 or go to “Doing our Part From the Heart” on Facebook.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Councilman Bill Hollander is inviting District 9 residents to come out to the bi-monthly “Meet with Bill” meeting on Wednesday, March 21st.
“We are always happy to hear from constituents. To make those meetings more convenient, we’ll be holding office hours at various places around the district in addition to our regular, evening D9 Community Conversations,” says Hollander.
“Meet with Bill” is set for the Mary T. Meagher Aquatic Center, 201 Reservoir Avenue, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. in the party room.
“Please stop by with any questions or concerns. It is an informal way of telling me what’s on your mind,” says Hollander.
For more information about “Meet with Bill” or any other issue in the district, call 574-1109 or email kyle.ethridge@louisvilleky.gov
Important work is going on at 2615 Magazine Street. It is the continuation of efforts to convert vacant and abandoned property into suitable housing while at the same time providing needed skills training and employment to those looking for a second chance in life.
On Saturday, Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton joined the Reverend Charles Elliott and representatives of organized labor in the Louisville area to applaud the efforts of “Jesus and a Job.”
“We have more than 5,000 vacant and abandoned properties in our city and as we continue to work towards returning those properties to livable affordable housing, this effort shows one of the ways to tackle the problem one house at a time,” says Hamilton.
For several weeks, the “Jesus and a Job” program has been working to convert 2615 Magazine Street from an abandoned structure into an affordable home for an individual or a needy family.
“It is our hope that when finished, this house could be the first home for a person looking to first rent and then buy and become part of the community,” says Rev. Elliott. “This is the fourth house the program has worked on since the beginning of the year.”
“Jesus and a Job” is a program that employs ex-felons to work on abandoned properties. By giving them a job, the program hopes they will learn a skilled trade and have a better transition back in the community as a productive citizen.
The program has been helped with funding from Heaven Hill and additional revenues from other community groups. It also has assistance from volunteers from many area labor organizations, who provide their time and talent to work on the properties. The program has also been able to utilize recent changes to allow the purchase of abandoned property, through the Landbank at minor cost.
“This is a great partnership that has brought together those in need and those who want to help,” said Hamilton. “It shows we are working to transform neighborhoods.”
Among the groups assisting “Jesus and a Job”:
I.B.E.W. Local 369
UAW Local 862
Greater Louisville Central Labor Council
L.I.U.N.A Local 576
Greater Louisville Building Trade Unions
Construction Labor District Council
Whitney Young Job Center
Blackhawk Enterprises
Albeys tree Services
Mayor Greg Fischer joined Public Health Director and Chief Health Strategist Dr. Sarah Moyer, community members and officials from agencies and organizations across the city to release Coming Together for Hope, Healing and Recovery, a report and two-year action plan to address substance use and misuse in Louisville.
Coming Together for Hope, Healing and Recovery includes a science-based analysis of the use of illegal drugs, tobacco and alcohol in Louisville and ways to accelerate the city’s fight against drug abuse. Work on the two-year action plan began last July when the Department of Public Health and Wellness convened a wide-ranging group that included people in recovery, leaders of nonprofits, law enforcement, health care institutions, experts of social work, school officials, concerned parents and scholars. Over the following months, work groups studied the problem, examined initiatives already in place in Louisville and in other cities, and created the two-year plan.
“America is facing one of the most serious drug epidemics in history, with opioid use taking a devastating toll,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “We’re proud of the efforts we’ve taken to fight it thus far, but we know we have to do more. Working together and implementing these recommendations will put us on a stronger path toward hope, healing and recovery.”
The report makes specific evidence-based recommendations to be implemented over the next two years. It proposes new initiatives and advocates for expanding and strengthening programs already in place that are proving to be effective. They include:
- Enacting new policies to establish safe and reliable sober living residences, increasing quality recovery options.
- Expanding diversion from jails and emergency rooms though programs like the Centerstone Living Room Project.
- Increasing harm reduction education and opioid overdose prevention by expanding syringe access and ensuring greater access to naloxone.
- Reducing stigma by promoting public understanding of substance use disorder as a chronic illness and publicizing access to crisis support.
- Expanding recovery support by advocating for more affordable record expungement to aid those in recovery.
- Increasing peer support in emergency rooms to better connect patients to treatment.
- Connecting employers with treatment providers to increase job placement opportunities for those working to overcome substance use.
- Developing quality metrics to measure effectiveness of treatment providers.
- Reducing youth substance use by establishing a community-wide coalition to prevent substance use, integrating resilience building, trauma-informed care and Adverse Childhood Experiences into initiatives for young people.
“Finding solutions to the problem of substance use disorder and creating a more resilient community requires the involvement of all of us,” said Dr. Moyer. “Specific organizations and individuals across the community have stepped up to champion each of the plan’s goals. This greatly increases our chances for success and making Louisville a city where everyone and every community can thrive.”
Findings of the report also include a picture of substance use in the area:
- Overdose deaths in Louisville have increased every year since 2011. In 2016, the age-adjusted drug overdose death rate in Louisville was more than double what it was in 2011.
- Drug misuse is widespread across Louisville. In 2016, Metro Emergency Medical Services (EMS) performed overdose runs in every single Metro Louisville ZIP Code, without exception. From 2011 – 2016, there were overdose deaths in nearly every Louisville ZIP Code.
- Overdose deaths caused by synthetic opioid analgesics, such as fentanyl, have increased 10 times from 2012 to 2016, and overdose deaths caused by heroin have increased 7 times from 2011 to 2016.
- While the use of illicit drugs garners significant media attention and community concern, tobacco and alcohol use remain far more pervasive throughout Louisville and affect many more people.
- The age-adjusted alcohol-induced death rates in Louisville Metro are consistently higher than state and national rates.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Youth Tobacco Survey, the use of e-cigarettes among young people has surpassed the use of conventional cigarettes since 2011.
To see the entire report go to louisville.ky.gov
