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

Rep. Yarmuth: Congress Needs to Listen to the Tuckers and Repeal Sequestration

Annual Festival of Flowers this Saturday in Beechmont

The Beechmont Neighborhood Association will hold its annual Festival of Flowers Saturday, May 11th at the world-famous Gazebo on the corner of Southern Parkway and Woodlawn Avenue from 9:00 AM. till 3:00 PM.

Admission is free for all.

Again this year, the festival is offering select herbs, perennials and many bedding plants along with a variety of gardening and craft items for sale

Food will be available for purchase and music will be provided all day through this day-long event.

Bring the children for face and flower pot painting!

All proceeds benefit the Beechmont Neighborhood Association.

Save the date: 5th annual 'Spin-A-Yarn Storytelling Festival' at The Little Loomhouse

A South Louisville treasure, The Little Loomhouse, is presenting the 5^th annual Spin-A-Yarn Storytelling
Festival on Saturday, June 1, 2013 from 11:00 AM -3:00 PM. 

Presenting storytelling from several talented Kentuckiana residents including Dawne Gee of WAVE 3 News, this family-friendly festival also includes bluegrass music from The Shuttle Winders, weaving and spinning demonstrations, a blacksmith, and historic cabin tours.

 

The first 200 visitors to the Spin-A-Yarn Storytelling Festival will receive a free Little Loomhouse 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.  Food and drinks will be available for purchase.  All proceeds benefit The Little Loomhouse.  

 

There will be free parking behind DeSales High School at 425 West Kenwood Drive and free TARC Trolley transportation between DeSales and The Little Loomhouse.  

 

Please be advised that the Little Loomhouse is in a rustic setting on a steep hill.  Access to the storytelling area is via a sloped gravel pathway.

 

About The Little Loomhouse: Home of the Happy Birthday Song and founded in 1939 by Master Weaver Lou Tate Bousman, The Little Loomhouse is one of the few organizations devoted to keeping the ancient art of handweaving and its history alive.

 

Since 1979, it has been operated by the nonprofit Lou Tate Foundation, Inc.  The Little Loomhouse consists of three restored, century-old, board and batten cabins listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is designated as a Kentucky State Historic Site, and a Louisville Landmark. 

 

Volunteers provide tours, demonstrations, classes and special programs on spinning and weaving to persons of all ages. 

 

You can learn more about The Little Loomhouse by visiting our website at www.littleloomhouse.org.