Metro Council's Democratic Caucus members encourage public to attend meeting concerning tolls for the Ohio River Bridges project

Members of the Democratic Caucus of the Louisville Metro Council are encouraging anyone who is concerned about tolls on the new Ohio River Bridges to voice their concerns or opinions at two open house meetings early next week.

“The project’s coordinators want to hear from any low income or minority groups that will feel the impact of tolls,” said Councilman David James (D-6), chairman of the Caucus. “It is important that all voices and all areas of Louisville and Southern Indiana be heard.”

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Indiana Department of Transpiration currently have a draft assessment of the impact of tolls for the project. The Open House meetings are being held to gauge more public input.

On Sunday, several members of the Democratic Caucus held a news conference encouraging public participation. “Right now all attention is focused on the beginning of construction but it is important to remember when these bridges are completed, tolls will become a reality,” said Councilman Rick Blackwell (D-12).

“Many people are still struggling in this economy and for some these proposed tolls are going to be a burden. That’s why now is the time to voice how you will be impacted if tolls are placed on these new bridges,” says Councilwoman Attica Scott (D-1).

Here is the information for both meetings from the Ohio River Bridges Project::
· Monday, July 22, from 4 to 7 p.m. EDT at the Holiday Inn Clarksville, 505 Marriott Dr., Clarksville, Ind.
· Tuesday, July 23, from 4 to 7 p.m. EDT at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage, 1701 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd., Louisville, Ky.

 For those using public transportation, the route information for Transit Authority of River City (TARC) is:
· July 22 meeting – Take TARC to the Spring Street stops at 14th or 15th streets in Jeffersonville, Ind. Shuttle to Holiday Inn Clarksville will be provided at that point.
· July 23 meeting – Take TARC to the Muhammad Ali & 17th Street stop.

Riverview Park Independence Festival returns on Saturday, June 29th

The Riverview Park Independence Festival returns on Saturday, June 29th for an evening of music, family

fun, and a barge load of fireworks on the Ohio River.

“This is the Independence Festival’s second year and we have expanded the fun and entertainment for everyone’s enjoyment,” said Councilman Rick Blackwell (D-12). “This is the only Independence Day Celebration of its kind in Southwest Louisville.”

“This festival is a great chance to build community and bring families out to one of the Southwest’s crown jewels,” says Councilwoman Cindi Fowler (D-14) “Riverview Park is the perfect setting for a festival and fireworks show.”

The Riverview Park Independence Festival will run from 5:00pm to 11:00pm on Saturday, June 29th. It is a free event. Joining Blackwell and Fowler as Metro Council sponsors are Vicki Aubrey Welch (D-13) and David Yates (D-25).

Among the highlights of this year’s Festival:

• Events emcee’d by Southwest Louisville’s own Dawne Gee 
• Musical performances by 31W (6:00pm – 8:00pm) and Ode 2 the Gnu (8:30pm – 10:30pm) 
• Kids’ activities include appearances by Louisville League of Mascots, “Make your Own Slime” and “Make your Own Cotton Candy” provided by Mad Science of Kentucky; and the wonderful Riverview Splash Park! 
• Louisville Water Company providing the “Bubbler” – refillable water station – so be sure to bring your own Louisville Pure Tap refillable bottles 
• Food Vendors include Traveling Kitchen and Genius in a Box from Louisville Food Truck Association and Ron’s Hot Dogs and Ehrler’s Ice Cream 
• Fantastic Fireworks Show on the Ohio River at 10:30 pm!

Limited parking is available at the park. Additional parking will be available at PRP High School (5901 Greenwood Road) and TARC will be providing a trolley shuttle service for attendees.

To see a listing of all the events for the Riverview Park Independence Festival go to www.RiverviewFestival.com

2013 Ohio River Sweep set for Saturday, June 15

The 24th annual Ohio River Sweep is set for Saturday, June 15, from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon at Riverview Park, 8202 Greenwood Road.

Since 1989, this award-winning cleanup for the Ohio River and its tributaries brings thousands of volunteers to the riverbanks to collect tons of trash and debris. River Sweep encompasses the entire length of the river, from its origin in Pittsburgh, PA to its end in Cairo, IL, including nearly 3,000 miles of shoreline and many tributaries.

More than 15,000 volunteers will pick up trash and debris along 1,800 miles of riverbank. Six states and 72 counties are represented.

Volunteers may contact Rhonda Boyle-Crotzer at 540-6552

Reminder: Weekend events in the Southwest, June 1st, 2013

- Stop by The Little Loomhouse for the Spin-A-Yarn Storytelling Festival Saturday, June 1st 10:30am-2:30pm. There will be historic tours, bluegrass music, weaving, spinning, basket weaving and blacksmithing demonstrations. Admission is only $2, with $1 admission for Seniors 65 and over and free admission for children 6 and under. The first 200 to arrive will receive free festival t-shirts. There will be free TARC Trolley transportation from DeSales High School’s parking lot (425 West Kenwood Drive). More information about the festival can be found HERE.

- The Americana World Festival is a multicultural celebration held each summer. This year’s Festival will take place Saturday, June 1st 11:00am-9:00pm at Iroquois Amphitheatre. There will be live music, a Kids Zone, food, crafts, a beer garden and much more. For more information, please call 502-368-5865 or visit www.iroquoisamphitheater.com.

- Councilman Rick Blackwell holds the next “Coffee with your Councilman” on Saturday, June 1st. The event will take place at Sister Beans Coffeehouse, 5225 New Cut Road beginning at 10:00am. There is no formal program and no need to sign up, just stop by and talk with the Councilman about any issue or concern you may have for the district. For more information about the June “Coffee with your Councilman”, contact Councilman Blackwell’s office at 574-1112.

- The Archery Team at Farnsley Middle School has made it to their first World Tournament. Volunteers are raising money for the team's travel expenses to this year's tournament to be held in St. Louis, MO at the end of June. This Saturday, June 1st, a car wash fundraiser is being held at the Sears Auto Center in front of K-Mart, 4915 Dixie Hwy. This event begins at 10am. Come on out and help these talented kids on their first big World Tournament appearance. For more information or to RSVP, click the event's facebook page.

There are several events planned for next weekend as well. Stay up to date with happenings and check back here regularly. If you would like to promote your event, drop us a line by clicking the link in the Contact box, located on the top right corner of the site.

As always, have a great weekend and thanks for reading the Valley Report.

Koch & Company adds art classes to celebrate two great years on Dixie

The ladies of Koch & Company

It has been two years since we introduced you to Koch and Company, a fine art consignment and framing shop in the Valley Station Shopping Center, and owner Deborah Koch says she's ready for more as she launches the next stage of her business.

Since opening in 2010, Koch & Company has been on an even keel. Koch reports although the economy remains stubborn, new offerings in the shop are bringing in customers from all over town.

Koch says, "[Our products] are treated as a luxury item and we realize people have to buy necessities like fuel and food first....you pay bills before you buy art,". Because of the difficult economic conditions, Deborah and staff had to literally "get creative".

While the framing part of the business remains steady, Koch, with her staff Alecia Thurman and Kellie Burton, considered entering the growing "paint your own art" segment - an increasingly popular activity that is drawing in diverse crowds of people. "We decided to come up with a plan to open an art school and four days later we had it done. It has caught on like wildfire," says Koch.

For more information on Koch and Company's art classes or to book a class, visit kochandcompany.com or stop by and see the ladies.

Koch & Company is located at 10970 Dixie Highway and is a member of the Louisville Independent Business Alliance (LIBA).

The future looks bright for Koch & Company with new offerings and a possible expansion in the works.

Deborah says,"We would like to invite everyone in Southwest Louisville, West Point and Radcliff to spend on Dixie instead of traveling beyond our community." 

In photo, from Left: Student Amy French, Instructor Alecia Thurman, Deborah Koch and Instructor Kellie Burton enjoying Oaks Day

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