Councilman Awesome to work for free as sign of shared sacrifice

Louisville Metro Councilman David Yates (D-25) has released a statement on his intent to participate in the mayor's voluntary furlough program. Yates plans to work for free for the week. Councilman Awesome?

"As families tighten their belts all across Southwest Louisville, I will take part in Mayor Fischer’s voluntary, week-long furlough program. The residents of District 25 should know that even though I will not be paid for it, I will still be working for them. Shared sacrifice of this kind helps ease budget concerns and helps us prevent massive layoffs and cuts in services."

UPDATE:Vicki Welch (D-13) and Rick Blackwell (D-12) have also released statements saying they and their staff will take part in the voluntary furlough. They will all continue to work without being paid.

Southwest Library Job Shop opens June 7th

Residents of District 14 and all of Southwest Louisville who are looking for a job now have a familiar resource at their disposal to help in the search. The Southwest Library is opening up a Job Shop on Tuesday, June 7th.

“The Southwest Library already is so important to residents in our area with its education programs for children and adults,” says Councilman Bob Henderson (D-14). “Now the branch is going one step further by offering its technical resources and assistance to unemployed members of our community.”

Henderson will join Mayor Greg Fischer on Tuesday, June 7th when the library opens its new Job Shop at 10:30am. The Job Shop provides computers, resources, trained staff and more than 600 square feet of space dedicated to job searching activities. The service is free and available to anyone during the operating hours of the branch.

“To someone who may not have access to a computer or the know how to search the internet for job openings, this can make a real difference,” says Henderson. “I am so pleased to see how our libraries adjust to helping the community.”

This is the second Job Shop operated by the Louisville Free Public Library. The first is located at the Main Branch on York Street.

For more information about the Southwest Library Job Shop, call the branch at 933-0029.

SW Louisville News Updates

- Quiet Zone News: The three CSX railroad crossings at National Turnpike, New Cut Road and Outer Loop (near 3rd St.) will become "quiet zones" beginning May 27 at midnight. Please watch for the lights.

- The Southwest Farmers Market is back on June 4th and is being relocated to the north parking lot of Valley High School due to the ongoing construction activity. From 9am to 1pm, you can buy locally grown fruits and vegetables along with other items made and grown in Kentucky. The SW Farmers Market is now accepting debit/EBT cards and senior vouchers. Let's welcome them back.

- The Southwest Dream Team will be celebrating the group's latest sign placement on May 25 at noon. The Michel Tire location at 10601 Dixie Hwy. now has a huge banner attached to the side of the building. The banner features places and people in SW Louisville.

Analysis: This is a huge banner on the back side of a tire place. An empty lot stands between the tire shop and the newly-opened Mortenson Family Dental. The empty gravel lot, formerly an old car wash, is what allows one to see the banner. Question: What happens when the empty lot between Michel Tire and Mortenson Dental is developed?

- National contract negotiations have formally opened for GE's union employees represented by the IUE-CWA in Louisville at Appliance Park. Employee health care benefits are under attack by the company, which made a multi-billion dollar tax-free profit last year. Keep these employees in your thoughts as negotiations progress.

Here is some stuff to do or plan on doing: It's the weekend

- Councilman Rick Blackwell is once again inviting residents of District 12 to “Coffee with Your Councilman” on Saturday, May 21st. The event will take place at Sister Beans, 5225 New Cut Road and begins at 10:00am.

- REO Speedwagon is coming to the Iroquois Amphitheater in June. Get ready to mullet-watch. [CJ]

-  The Louisville Visual Arts Association, in conjunction with Grasshoppers Distribution and the Louisville Independent Business Alliance, will host the third annual Buy Local First Fair Sunday, May 22, 2011, from 2-6 pm at 3005 River Road. Click HERE for more information.

- “Spin-A-Yarn” Storytelling Festival,  May 21, 2011 from 11:30 A.M. - 3:30 P.M.at The Little Loom House, 328 Kenwood Hill Road.

The first 200 visitors to the Spin-A-Yarn Storytelling Festival will receive a free Little Loom House t-shirt.General Admission is $2.00 per person. Seniors 65 and older will be admitted for $1.00, and children six and under are free. All proceeds benefit The Little Loom House. There will be free parking behind DeSales High School at 425 West Kenwood Drive and free TARC Trolley transportation between DeSales and The Little Loom House. More info:(502) 367-4792, email: lesliemclements@yahoo.com or www.littleloomhouse.org

District 25 Open Office event set for tonight

The first District 25 Open Office will be held Thrusday, May 19 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Southwest Regional Metro Council Office at 7219 Dixie Highway.

District 25 residents are invited to meet with the Councilman, one-on-one, to discuss their concerns and share ideas.

Staff will be on hand to process constituents concerns and provide information.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are recommended and can be scheduled by calling (502) 937-6143 or by e-mailing Nicole Candler.

Forest Fest 2011 - Saturday May 21

Bee Lick Creek, Jefferson Memorial Forest

The beauty of Jefferson Memorial Forest will serve as the backdrop for a fantastic day of Bluegrass music when the eighth annual Forest Fest Bluegrass Music Festival kicks off this Saturday, May 21st .

Headlined by The Grascals, the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music's 2011 Instrumental Band of the Year, Forest Fest also features an array of topnotch local and regional artists. Arts and crafts booths, food and kids activities make this a perfect day of fun for everyone. Admission is free. Parking is $5 a carload. Click HERE to sign up for the Jefferson Memorial Forest's newsletter.

Forest Fest Band Schedule (with WFPK Radio’s Berk Bryant as emcee)

11:00 – 11:50 - Relic
12:00 – 12:50 - High Rollers
1:00 – 1:50 - Bluegrass 101
2:00 – 2:50 - The Grascals
3:00 - 3:50 - Relic
4:00 – 4:50 - High Rollers
5:00 – 5:50 - Bluegrass 101
6:00 – 6:50 - The Grascals

Forest Fest Schedule of Activities

10:30 - Booths open to the public
Horine Environmental Education Center open until 2 p.m.
Forest Nature booth opens for children
11:00 - Music Begins
Noon - Children’s activities until 5:00
1:30 - The Forest Scavenger hunt for families and children begins
4:00 - Announce the winners of the Scavenger Hunt and Award prizes
7:00 - Festival Concludes