2009 Movie Nights @ Iroquois Amphitheater

If you are looking for family-friendly entertainment this summer, you simply cannot beat this program. Come on out for a wonderful evening at the beautiful Iroquois Amphitheater and enjoy a free movie with your kids. Press release below:

Free Movie Nights returns to Iroquois Park for 2009
Family entertainment on Saturday nights through the summer

Louisville – What has become a summer tradition returns to Iroquois Amphitheater on Saturday night, May 23rd when the 2009 Movies Nights debuts for another entertainment season.

“This begins our third year of offering free family movies in Iroquois Park for the summer,” says Councilwoman Marianne Butler (D-15). “We have some very good movies for everyone to enjoy.”

The first movie kicking off the 2009 program is “Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa” on Saturday, May 23rd at 8:00pm.

Joining Butler in funding the 2009 Movie Nights are Council members Dan Johnson (D-21), Rick Blackwell (D-12), Vicki Aubrey Welch (D-13) Bob Henderson (D-14) George Unseld (D-6) Jim King (D-10), Jon Ackerson (R-18), Brent Ackerson (D-26) and Robin Engel (R-22).

“The purpose of this program is to not only provide something for families to do and enjoy over the summer but to also give people a chance to enjoy Iroquois Park,” says Butler.

The remaining schedule of movies is as follows:

Yes Man - Saturday June 13th 9:00pm
Pink Panther 2 - Saturday July 11th 9:00pm
Hotel for Dogs - Saturday August 8th 9:00pm
Beverly Hills Chihuahua - Saturday September 12th 8:00pm

For more information, contact Councilwoman Butler’s office at 574-1115. Or go to: http://www.louisvilleky.gov/metroparks/IroquoisAmphitheater.

An aside: I have a concern about the absence of funding from Councilman Doug Hawkins (R-25) for this series of family events. His district is next door to Iroquois Park and many of his constituents will be enjoying this opportunity. I have sent a request for information to his office about the issue, and I will let you know his response when I receive it.

UPDATE, Thursday, May 21: Councilman Hawkins has kicked in and is now helping fund this event. Thanks, Doug.

2009 Forest Fest

Make plans now to attend this great event in our beautiful Jefferson Memorial Forest. Press release follows:

“2009 Forest Fest” kicks off summer events in District 13
Welch prescribes music and fun for your Saturday, May 16th

Louisville – In the backdrop of a beautiful, natural setting, once again music will roll around the hills of the Jefferson Memorial Forest when the 2009 Forest Fest gets underway on Saturday, May 16th.

“This is a great tradition for our district and a great way to spend a Saturday,” says Councilwoman Vicki Aubrey Welch (D-13) who is the event’s presenting sponsor. “We will have great music and the perfect place to kick back and relax.”
Five Bluegrass musical groups will be on hand to perform through the afternoon in the Horine Section of the Forest. The event begins at 11:00am and runs until 6:00pm.

“This is a wonderful way to get acquainted with one of the hidden treasures of Jefferson County,” says Welch. “You can listen to great music or explore the forest, there will be crafters, vendors and food available.”

Here is the official rundown of activities and entertainment for the 2009 Forest Fest:

Forest Fest Band Schedule
11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. – Buck Creek
12:30 - 1:45 p.m. – Stone Hollow
2 -3:15 p.m. – Hog Operation
3:30 - 4:45 p.m. – Tony Holt & The Wildwood Valley Boys
5 - 6:15 p.m. – Cherryholmes
Forest Fest Schedule of Activities
11 a.m. – Booths open to the public and music begins Fairdale
Horine Environmental Education Center opens
(open until 2 p.m. )
Forest Nature booth opens for children
Noon – Children’s activities begin
1:30 p.m. – Forest Scavenger hunt for families and children begins
4 p.m. – Scavenger Hunt winners are announced, prizes awarded
5 p.m. – Children’s area closes
6 p.m. - Food and crafts booths close

The concerts are free but parking will be $5 per carload.
Councilwoman Welch is a sponsor of the event along with WFPK Radio Louisville, Dairy Queen, Pic Pac and the Fairdale-McDaniel Funeral Home.

For more information about the 2009 Forest Fest, contact the Jefferson memorial Forest at 502-368-5404. Or to learn about the musical groups playing, go to:
http://authoring.louisvilleky.gov/MetroParks/parks/jeffersonmemorialforest/2009forestfest.htm

Hicks House Update for Sunday, May 10

I received a few more factual details in an email about the home of Dr. Hicks, located at 8601 Dixie Highway in Southwest Louisville. People in the community have taken a remarkable interest in the home, and I am extremely happy to report the following to you, my faithful readers:

The house was the home of Dr. Hicks, who had an office and practice at 28th & Madison Street. He and his wife are buried in Louisville Memorial Gardens West. Hicks was born in 1883, and died in 1960. His wife's name was Albennie, born 1887, and died in 1972.

The land on Dixie consisted of 116 acres on the hillside and over the hill, and 50 acres across Dixie at the old Westland Mall shopping center site. There was a house where the Dairy Queen now sits, and was occupied by part of the family.

There was also another house north of the main house on the hillside across from where the Taco Bell sits that was also family. The house was burned by the PRP Fire Dept. during a training drill in the 1970's at the request of the family after sitting empty for years.

My wife's parents lived with and worked for the Hicks in the white house in the late 1930's. My wife's sister was born in the white house in 1939,and her brother worked on the farm and put up fencing around some of the land. Her mother cleaned the office and the white house.

There are two Hicks sons: Stanley and John Jr.

Again, thank you to all who have submitted information on the home and surrounding property. These are stunning details regarding a place about which little was known by area residents. Collecting the facts, stories and memories of the home have been a rewarding experience like no other for me. I encourage you to keep sending in those tips, and if something like this in your neighborhood grabs your attention, please check it out and let me know. It is certain that there are other mysteries like this to investigate. Who knows what you might uncover?

Thanks again,
Brian

Explore Your Hometown

Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau is promoting the Hometown Tourist Celebration through May 30th. Many cultural and arts attractions will be offering "two-for-one" admission prices. Among the attractions participating are:

The Louisville Science Center, Derby Dinner Playhouse, The Frazier International History Museum, Riverside: The Farnsley-Moreman Landing, the Thomas Edison House, the Belle of Louisville and the Kentucky Derby Museum.

More information can be found HERE.