Dixie Sears Essentials returning to K-Mart roots.

The Sears Essentials store on Dixie Highway is holding a clearance sale in preparation of a "remodeling". The remodeling will once again turn the store into a K-Mart.

The store started as a K-Mart years ago, before being converted into the now-failed Sears Essentials.

A sign inside the store states the new K-Mart will be opening in November 2011 and will feature some of the same items currently being sold under the Sears name, including the popular Craftsman tools and Die-Hard lines of merchandise.

PRP Neighborhood Fair this Saturday

PRP Neighborhood Fair this Saturday

Join Councilman Yates (D-25) at the PRP Neighborhood Fair on Saturday, August 13 from 1 until 4 p.m. at Ridgewood Baptist Church at 6209 Greenwood Road. Ice cream will be available along with an opportuntity to meet your LMPD and Fire Department representatives as well as those from the Louisville Office of Aging and local business associations. There will also be a backpack giveaway, so please make plans to attend.

"Da Vinci: The Genius" at the Frazier: A must see

" Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art."

- Leonardo Da Vinci-

If you are looking for one last interesting thing to do before wrapping up your summer, there's plenty to do right here in Louisville. But time is of the essence.

The Frazier History Museum, 829 W. Main Street, contains a dazzling array of beautiful and historic artifacts. But more than that, the fine folks at the Frazier also have the story behind the items.

One of the most intriguing exhibits in Louisville today is "Da Vinci: The Genius", running now through September 18 at the museum.

The 10,000 square-foot exhibition is the most comprehensive and complete collection traveling the world on a man who is considered to be the greatest genius of all time.

Da Vinci's mind was purely and astoundingly mathematical. It is hard to tell how such a man would be viewed in modern times. Merely walking through the exhibit was quite an experience.

"Da Vinci: The Genius" features a large array of full-scale machine inventions taken directly from his personal notebooks and also includes reproductions of his most famous artwork. These full-scale machines, some of them interactive, are breathtaking when you consider the timeline - these notes and drawings were made 500 years ago.

Among the machines: A glider, helicopter,parachute, tank, machine gun, a model of "the ideal city", SCUBA gear, and a movie camera.

There is also the world-exclusive "Secrets of Mona Lisa" and a high-definition recreation of The Last Supper.

The staff at the Frazier is professional, world-class and extremely helpful. As citizens of Louisville, we should all be proud of the work taking place there. It is a genuine treasure.

The feeling you get is hard to translate into words. So, see it for yourself. And see it soon before it is too late. This one is definitely worth the trip downtown. Suitable for all ages.

Admission fees: 15 and older are $18.50, children 5-14 are $7, children under 4 are free. Frazier History Museum hours are Monday through Saturday, 9am to 5pm and Sunday noon to 5pm. For more information, visit www.fraziermuseum.org or call 502-753-5663.

End of summer SW Business roundup

It's been another tough year for Southwest Louisville business. We have seen several high-profile closings and the end of some long-time local favorites. Here are the latest items relating to our SW business community. If you have any to add, please contact us.

- The Old Louisville Coffeehouse, formerly located at 4th and Hill, is now open at it’s new location at 4956 Manslick Road (Sister Beans old location). Open 7days a week from 6am-9pm featuring free music on weekends.Café style setting with great free group meeting space accommodating up to 60 people.

Owners Pamela and Robert Campbell invite you to come see for yourself.

For more information please call 502-364-0053 or email at pscampbell93@bellsouth.net

*Thanks to Bob Henderson (D-14) for this info*

- PRP Pizza is now open in the space formerly occupied by the 19th Hole Pub on Greenwood Road.

- The Valley Station Sonic Drive-In restaurant is closed. Rumors of a "remodeling" seem to be greatly exaggerated.

-  The August meeting of the PRP Area Business Association will be held August 18 at the Shively Community Center. Event begins at 11:30am and will feature Mayor Greg Fisher.

"Jobs Not Cuts": Crowd calls for "New" New Deal

Several dozen protesters gathered at the federal courthouse at 6th & Broadway Wednesday to deliver a "Contract for the American Dream" to U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell. The "contract", written by over 125,000 Americans, is a plan to create jobs rather than destroy them through budget cuts.

After delivering the message -which will be ignored by McConnell- the protesters marched down to the state unemployment office chanting "Jobs not cuts!".

The event, staged by Move on.org, raised a good point. We should be focusing on job creation instead of slashing programs that help the middle class and poor people. This country asks nothing from its millionaires or corporations and places the burden squarely on the shoulders of those who can least afford it.

Much attention was given to the nation's crumbling infrastructure and the jobs that would be created by fixing it, but sadly, everyone seems to have forgotten about the WPA and the New Deal. Except these guys:

Have any money in the bank? It's FDIC insured, thanks to the New Deal. Ever get an FHA home loan? Is anyone in your family collecting Social Security? That's all New Deal territory.

Full employment is a goal we should set. A major result of full employment at high wages is a sharp, permanent decrease in the level of income inequality.

That's what created the middle class. And that's good for America.

Wednesday Update: Construction, coffee, council districts and cinema

- As most of you know, Valley Station Road has been closed at the railroad tracks for a few days due to rail repairs. The road is scheduled to reopen tomorrow, August 11th, and will once again allow access to Dixie Highway from Valley Station Road.

- Coffee With Your Councilwoman, this Saturday, August 13th will feature a guest from the Legal Aid Society answering questions and addressing concerns on foreclosure. From Councilwoman Welch:

Come join us at First String Family Sports Grill at 9AM this Saturday. Our special guest will be Andrea Hunt from the Legal Aid Society who can talk with you about foreclosures and general Legal Aid resources. Lots of fresh hot FREE coffee with breakfast available at a reasonable cost.

- Redistricting news: As a result of 2010 census, the 26 Louisville Metro Council districts must be redrawn. Councilman Rick Blackwell (D-12) chairs the redistricting committee. At Councilman Blackwell's next District 12 Dialogue, redistricting will be the main topic. Please join all four Southwest area Council members August 16th at 7PM at the Southwest Government Center to talk about this important issue.

- The Iroquois Amphitheater "Movies Under The Stars" series continues this Sunday, August 14th. "Shrek: Forever After" is FREE and begins at 8pm.

Southwest Community Ministries to celebrate new headquarters

Southwest Community Ministries will begin preparations for a new home on Monday, August 8th. The non-profit group will celebrate its purchase of property for a new headquarters on Terry Road.

Council Members Rick Blackwell (D-12), Vicki Aubrey Welch (D-13), Bob Henderson (D-14) and David Yates (D-25) along with Charles Price President and CEO of Charah, Lynda Fortner-Evans of Evans Construction, Mill Creek Generating Station, CEMEX, (Kosmos Cement Company) and P&L Railroad will join SWCM officials for the event. Each of these organizations is playing a major role in fundraising for the purchase of the new headquarters.

The celebration will be at 10:30am at 8504 and 8506 Terry Road, formerly part of the Pleasure Ridge Park Fire District.