Cane Run Elementary Community Playground to be completed in April

Back in October the groundbreaking was a special event. Today, the new playground for Cane Run Elementary is well on its way to being completed in time for Community use this Spring.

“I am pleased with the progress of this venture,” says Councilwoman Mary C. Woolridge (D-3). “As we all knew, this will be a wonderful addition to the school but also for the neighborhood.

Woolridge joined the Community Business Partners for the groundbreaking that brought new playground equipment to Cane Run Elementary last October. She was able to secure $25,000 in funding in the current budget. The remaining money was raised by the Community Business Partners.

The playground equipment has been installed. Workers hope to have foam tile installed by April. The playground could also so have additional landscaping put in place. The project is part of Cane Run’s “Teamwork Makes a Dream Work” plan designed to incorporate the new playground into other innovative programs at the school focusing on the environment.

“This new playground shows that when we all work together to improve the quality of life for our children, we ultimately improve our neighborhoods as well,” said Woolridge.

Woolridge is joined by other partners in the playground venture; DREAM Foundation, Kosair Charities, Zoeller Company, Louisville Chemistry Partnership, Hexion, Carbide Industries, Lubrizol, Dow Chemical, Zeon Chemical, Dupont, American Synthetic Rubber, City of Shively – Mayor Sherry Conner, Southwest Rotary Club, R & S Welding, JFT Precision Fabrication, Inc., Hartlage Machine Co., Inc., Independent Piping, Inc, KCI Supply Company LLC, Pavco Trucking Co., Inc, Abel Construction Company, Inc, Cement Board Fabricators, Inc., Niemco Fabricators, Inc., Marine Electric, Pendleton Trailer, Cane Run Improvement Club, Loudon Sheet Metal Co., Inc, Welders Supply and NALCO Company/James Gerrish.

Good times, bad times: Midweek Update

- Many people have become angry about the newest dildo store on Dixie Highway in Shively, saying Shively officials "gave in" to a high-priced attorney's "scare tactics" in granting the store a general business license. Here's the thing: If no one shops there, it will close. That's how you get rid of things like that, so stop going in there. [CJ]

- Ford CEO Alan Mulally was in town last night for GLI's annual meeting. A WHAS11 report says he is "optimistic" about the future of the Louisville Assembly Plant and gives the United Auto Workers union high praise for cooperating with the company. [WHAS11]

Insiders attending the meeting say Mulally then went on to shamelessly promote the awful idea of passing the Korea/US Free Trade Agreement, saying Ford was still unable to compete without the deal. More on the proposed agreement and its effect on U.S. jobs - [Insider Louisville]

- The Local Weekly has a nice story about Mary Lou Rippy of Dixie Florist. Mary Lou was a finalist for the 2010 Epic Award given by the National Association of Women Business Owners’ Louisville Chapter.[The Local Weekly]

- REMINDER: Saturday, March 19,  Councilwoman Vicki Welch hosts her next "Coffee with Your Councilwoman" at First String Family Sports Grill at 5921 New Cut Road. This month's coffee features District 5 school board representative Linda Duncan and gets underway at 9am.

- Valley High School Alumni Association has their regular monthly meeting this Thursday, March 17th, at 6:30 PM in the old TV Science Room. All alumni are welcome to join. Membership dues are $10 per year. Come on out.

Southwest Greenways planning meetings set for March

Southwest Greenways Plan….be a part of it

Metro Parks is planning a proposed new recreational trail system in southwest Louisville called the Southwest Greenways. The Southwest Greenways Plan will connect neighborhoods in the southwest to the Louisville Loop, recreational trails, historic and cultural sites, parks, natural areas, schools, community facilities and business districts, increasing the potential for a healthier, more active lifestyle.

The planning process will consist of Metro Parks’ working together with the public and community leaders to develop a master plan to identify existing conditions and uses and collect information about what types of recreational and commuting opportunities people in the community want and combine them in a vision for the greenway system.

Your help is needed as we begin the process. We want your ideas and input. Please join us at an upcoming public meeting to hear about the project and most importantly, share your ideas, opinions, and concerns regarding area trails, open space, historic and cultural sites.

Metro Parks will host three public meetings within southwest Louisville. You are encouraged to attend a meeting near you but, feel free to attend any or all of them. Times and locations of these meetings are as follows:

Monday , March 21st, Farnsley-Moremen Visitors’ Center, 7410 Moorman Rd., @ 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 23rd, Iroquois Branch Library, 601 W. Woodlawn Ave., @ 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Monday March 28th, Fairdale Playtorium, 10616 W. Manslick Rd. @ 6:00-7:30 p.m.

If further information is needed, please call Carolyn Cromer, project manager, 456-8139