Councilman Andrew Owen
601 W. Jefferson Street
(502) 574-1109
Email Andrew

Jasmine Presley
Legislative Assistant
(502) 574-3908
Email Jasmine

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In this Issue...

• A Message from Andrew
• Meet with Andrew
• District 9 Rightsizing Schedule
• Crescent Hill Tennis and Pickle Ball Courts
• Clifton and Crescent Hill Area Plan
• Earn Digital Skills and a $500 Stipend
• Mellwood Art Center’s 20th Anniversary Celebration
• Legacy Week 2023
• Louisville Food Vision 2030
• Women’s Equality Day
• KY State Fair
• Nature Connects at the Louisville Zoo
• Pop Up Drop Off
• Calling All Louisville Youth Ages 16-24
• Y-NOW is Seeking Volunteer Mentors
• Curbing Gun Violence Competition
• District 9 Calendar Events

A Message from Andrew

We have had an unusually high number of shooting incidents this summer in Clifton and Metro Council District 9.  Council District 9 is located in LMPD’s 5th Police Division, which also includes Metro Council District 8 and parts of Metro Council District 4.  After a particularly violent week in early August, Councilman Reno-Weber (8th District Council) and I, co-hosted a public event on Sunday, August 6th, to discuss the most recent events at Frankfort Avenue and New Main Street and Bardstown Road and Bonnycastle Avenue.  We were joined at the event by Major Jason Grissom – Commander of LMPD’s 5th Division, Brad Silveria - Administrator for the Metro Alcohol Beverage Control, Paul Callanan - Director of the Office for Safe and Health Neighborhoods, and Michael Bogan - the Director of the Metro Group Violence Intervention program.  This event was announced on a Thursday and by Sunday afternoon about 500 concerned citizens showed up at the meeting.   A couple of important things came out of the meeting: We discussed at length the many policies and programs, particularly related to youth engagement, Metro Government was able to fully fund in the recently passed fiscal year 2024 annual Metro Budget.  This community investment occurred after a number of years of the underfunding of programs that support after school and summer youth activities and promote youth civic engagement.  There was a particularly glaring cut to these programs in FY 2019, when severe Metro Government budget shortfalls were the order of the day.  We also discussed how the rising numbers of disengaged youth in Metro Louisville and other cities is directly correlated to the high violent crime numbers we are experiencing now.  So, we feel good about our long-term investment in reducing crime through these programs, but it will take some time to bring those youth disengagement numbers back down to healthy levels and see measurable progress.   In the short term, a couple of things need to happen to address the urgent situation we are facing today. We need to continue to rebuild the number of LMPD officers in the force so we can return to a more proactive community policing strategy that prevents crime rather than being forced to be entirely reactionary; we need to continue to rebuild the faith and trust between the community and LMPD through community engagement strategies and increased transparency; we need to get our officers out of their cars and embrace a policing model that utilizes foot patrols, bikes, ATVs, golf carts, horses, anything that promotes interaction between our officers and the community.   And finally, ABC announced at the meeting a change to the enforcement policy of the Metro noise ordinance and have committed to dialing back the general intensity at local establishments that serve alcohol, in an attempt to reduce noise, rowdy behavior and potentially crime. This tighter enforcement will occur primarily during late night hours when many people have already gone to bed with the intention of keeping a lid on rowdy behavior.  We understand that we have a limited number of tools in our toolbox to reduce the number of guns in our neighborhoods, so hopefully, by literally turning down the volume at these establishments, we will see a reduction in crime and violence.  On a more positive note, in the last couple of weeks we have installed a new EV charging station at the public parking lot at the corner of Frankfort Avenue and Keats.  This was a joint project between Evolve KY, a local non-profit that promotes EV vehicle adoption and charging stations, the Sierra Club of Kentucky, and your Metro Council District 9 office.  The charging station is free and open to the public on a first come, first serve basis.

Meet with Andrew

I will be hosting office hours again on Wednesday, September 13^th at 11:00AM at UCHM to hear about your ideas, concerns, and any topics you would like to discuss.  This meeting will be held in the community room on the 1^st floor.  We will also be hosting a donation drive for kitchen, laundry, and personal hygiene items such as dish soap, toothpaste, shampoo, body wash, detergent, toilet paper, etc.  Any items you can donate to UCHM would be greatly appreciated.  I hope to see you there!

District 9 Rightsizing Schedule

Our most recent update from KYTC today was that Frankfort Ave and Brownsboro Rd is set to be repaved at the end of August/beginning of September with work taking about 2 weeks.  There are no exact dates scheduled for the repaving of Frankfort Ave or Brownsboro Rd, but we will keep you posted as we find out more.

Crescent Hill Tennis and Pickle Ball Courts

Work is almost complete at the Crescent Hill Tennis and Pickle Ball courts!  Concrete work is being completed and site clean up is scheduled for Friday.  The courts should be ready to open for play this weekend!

Clifton and Crescent Hill Area Plan

The Clifton & Crescent Hill Area Plan is available on the Louisville Metro website for public review, at this link: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/advanced-planning/clifton-crescent-hill-area-plan. The full plan document and an online comment form are included. We appreciate all the feedback that was provided by the Advisory Group in May, and appreciate your patience as updates were made based on that feedback. We plan to accept public comments on the draft document through Friday, September 15. After that, we will assess the comments and make any necessary changes to the plan, and then move forward with the adoption process. Our goal is to have the plan adopted by the end of the year.

Earn Digital Skills and a $500 Stipend

The University of Louisville’s Digital Transformation Center is honored to be a part of the Healthcare Workforce Innovation Coalition, funded by Metro Louisville’s American Rescue Plan grant. This group is led by CEO^c, the Louisville Healthcare CEO Council, and their Health Career Lab, to create a digital workforce train the trainer program, expanding the digital skills of our community. They will upskill 100+ community trainers throughout all 26 districts. In turn, those 100 trainers will train at least 10 others within their community, producing more digitally upskilled and reskilled citizens.

Community trainers will be empowered with free training curriculum, materials, and support through areas of digital literacy such as data analytics, ChatGPT, conversational artificial intelligence, and forms data collection.

Requirements: - A commitment to improve your digital skills and train other people - Having access to a computer and an internet connection Information sessions will be available: 

Thursday August 17, 5:30 pm - 6:30pm
Wednesday September 6, 5:30 pm - 6:30pm
Thursday September 14, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Thursday September 28, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Friday October 6, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

To register for the program or an information session, or more information, please visit this page: https://express.adobe.com/page/REiG93Nv2sR0F/  

Mellwood Art Center’s 20th Anniversary Celebration

Celebrate 20 years of an amazing local art community - Mellwood Art Center! Kick off the day with the Mellwood Handmade Market in the Van Gogh room and morning yoga at 11:15 a.m. with Ashtanga Yoga at the main stage in the Da Vinci Room. Later catch performances by singer-songwriter Caitlyn Justice, Classic Melodies performance troupe “Top Note”, and others! The whole family can enjoy carnival games with prizes, community art projects, a silent disco, contra dancing, and more in their two largest event rooms. Close out the night at the main stage with a Karaoke Competition from 6-9 p.m. featuring cash prizes!  Butchertown Brewing will be serving up a selection of their craft beers at the bar in the Da Vinci Room. Bristol Catering will have a selection of wine and liquor at the bar in the Van Gogh Room. You’ll also find them in the Da Vinci Room serving up “The Mellwood” – a special pork chop sandwich with a twist – and their famous green chili wantons! You’ll also find Danny Mac’s Pizza there (benefitting Harbor House) with some of their award-winning pizza, Soul Hi Vegan with some soulful vegan treats, and Stumps Diner Food Truck, to name a few! Admission and parking are free! Pets are welcome on-leash. 1860 Mellwood Ave., Louisville, KY 40206

Legacy Week 2023

The Presley Post is excited to announce the return of the highly anticipated, Legacy Week; a weeklong health and wealth festival celebrating the power of legacy, to take place September 17-22, 2023.

The second annual event will offer the Louisville community a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights and practical knowledge on how to enhance their personal wealth, improve their physical and mental health, and build stronger ties to their community.  During the week long event, participants can engage in a variety of workshops and panel discussions for free.  The full Legacy Week schedule can be found below:

Sunday, Sept 17^th: Legacy Day
Monday, Sept 18^th: Mental Health Night
Tuesday, Sept 19^th: Tech Tuesday
Wednesday, Sept 20^th: Wine & Wealth
Thursday, Sept 21^st: Holistic Health Night
Friday, Sept 22^nd: Family Fun Night

Legacy Week kicks off with Legacy Day, a street festival featuring various local talent from artists and comedians, to a marketplace to connect with local businesses and organizations.  The day will culminate with the unveiling of The Jazz Foundation, a non-profit that will support teens who lost a parent due to substance misuse, gun violence, or mental illness through mentorships and scholarships. 

For more information about Legacy Week 2023, visit www.legacyweeklou.com to register for events, become a vendor or volunteer, and get involved!

Louisville Food Vision 2030

With support from a USDA Regional Food System Partnership Grant, Food in Neighborhoods is working with Louisville residents to develop the Food Vision 2030. As part of this process, Food in Neighborhoods will be engaging community voices in various ways, including food summits, stakeholder focus groups, and distribution of a community food survey. Through participatory data collection and assessment processes, we will identify needs, gaps, threats, strengths, and opportunities in Louisville’s local-regional food system, specifically those related to food-insecure populations, food system infrastructure and value chains, and production sustainability. More information can be found about the organization can be found at https://foodinneighborhoods.org/ You can help shape the Food Vision 2030 multi-year strategic plan for a better food system! Thank you for your consideration to help this important project. Take the Survey: Bit.ly/FOODVISION2030

Women’s Equality Day

Join the Office for Women in celebrating Women’s Equality Day, an event celebrated around the nation commemorating the passage of the 19th Amendment and women’s right to vote. The theme of the event is “Our Voices Matter” and will highlight the ways that women and gender diverse individuals champion advocacy and civic engagement.  Artwork by students at the Georgia Chaffee TAPP school will be on display, the Real Young Prodigys will be performing, Dr. Jabani Bennett will lead a community movement exercise and there will be an opportunity for engagement in a community art project. The panel, “Our Voices Matter” will feature student and community advocates who will focus on gender equity and climate change, transgender rights and advocacy for pregnant and parenting students. Attendees are encouraged to bring period products to be donated to JCPS schools. The event is open to the public and refreshments and childcare will be provided. Registration is highly recommended, register here. 144 N. 6th St., Louisville, KY 40202

KY State Fair

Now through August 27th The Kentucky State Fair celebrates all things Kentuckian by promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement through quality entertainment in a family-friendly environment. Come and enjoy so many great activities including Marvelous Mutts, the Dennis Lee Show, Wheels of Agriculture, the Largest Pumpkin & Watermelon Contest, Latin Music Fest, and more! For a full list of family-friendly shows and activities, click here.  Livestock and animals will be at the fair as always for you to check out, pet and observe as they compete! Click here for a full list of animals attending the fair and the Livestock Schedule.  Don't forget the live music! Enjoy the Texas Roadhouse Free Concert Series featuring performances by Morris Day and the Time, the Oak Ridge Boys, Casting Crowns, Warren Zeiders, and more! Full schedule can be found here.  Inside hours are: Monday - Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.  Friday & Saturday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Outside hours are: Monday - Thursday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.  Friday - Sunday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thrill Ville hours are:  Monday - Thursday: 3 to 10 p.m.  Fridays: 3 to 11 p.m. Saturday & Sunday: 1 to 11 p.m. Details on admission and parking at the Kentucky State Fair can be found here. Get ready to celebrate Kentucky and summer summed up during the Kentucky State Fair!  937 Phillips Ln., Louisville, KY 40209

Nature Connects at the Louisville Zoo

Now through September 17th Nature Connects is an award-winning exhibition showcasing sculptures and exhibits created by artist Sean Kenney, and it is currently being displayed at the Louisville Zoo. His sculptures, made with simple LEGO toys, explore the interconnectedness of our natural world. Sean’s enormous and precise structures offer a playful twist on traditional sculptural art, making it accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds. The Louisville Zoo provides a unique and stunning backdrop for Sean’s artwork, creating an unforgettable experience for visitors. The exhibition, which features 16 sculptures made from more than 500,000 LEGO bricks, will leave you in awe and inspire a deeper connection to the natural world. Nature Connects encourages visitors to appreciate and understand the complex connections between humans and nature, while also enjoying the playful and imaginative world of LEGO bricks. Nature Connects at the Louisville Zoo is FREE with Zoo admission. Purchase your Louisville Zoo tickets here. 1100 Trevilian Way, Louisville, KY 40213

Pop Up Drop Off

Our next Pop-Up Drop-Off event will be at UofL's Shelby Campus, 440 N Whittington Pkwy from 10am - 2pm on Saturday, August 26. Visit our website for more details.

Calling All Louisville Youth Ages 16-24

The Metro Youth Cabinet (MYC) is full of civic-minded change makers interested in helping local youth gain greater equity and a stronger voice on issues and policy that affect them.

The Cabinet’s hub is in the YES! Youth Engagement Services division at OSHN. The 26-member Cabinet works directly with Louisville’s Mayor and Metro Council to offer advice on policy, community building and equity. The cabinet will work to identify and transform systems that prevent young people – throughout our city – from living healthy and happy lives. Youth are in the best position to identify the range of struggles they face and to suggest solutions.  Deadline to apply is September 4^th.  APPLY HERE

TO LEARN MORE:

YES@louisvilleky.gov

502-574-1903

Y-NOW is Seeking Volunteer Mentors

The YMCA Safe Place Y-NOW program’s next mentoring class is quickly approaching. We are currently looking for mentors! Mentoring is an incredibly rewarding experience! Your time & dedication can have a lasting impact on a youth's life. If you or someone you know is interested in mentoring, please e-mail ynowvolunteers@ymcalouisville.org or call 502-635-5233.

Curbing Gun Violence Competition

The Crescent Hill Community Council is sponsoring a “Curbing Gun Violence in Jefferson County Competition”. A $6,100  prize (and possibly climbing) will be awarded for the best new idea, or a new twist on an old idea to curb gun violence in Jefferson County.

Each idea must be submitted in accordance to the “Rules for Submission” below, and accompanied with the Official Submission Form attached. Additional forms can be obtained in person at the Crescent Hill Branch Library, 2762 Frankfort Ave. Louisville, KY 40206  Or online at: Crescent Hill Community Council Facebook; or crescenthill.us.; Via email to janege40@gmail.com or jdc09@att.net.

Entries accepted from July 5, 2023 until midnight Wednesday, October 4, 2023.  A  $6,100 prize will be awarded January 4, 2024.

TO ENTER:

TO ENTER ONLINE, CLICK HERE

TO DOWNLOAD APPLICATION, CLICK HERE

District 9 Calendar Events

Below are some Ninth District calendar events!  To view a full listing of events, please visit the District 9 Blog at http://district9news.wordpress.com/.  If you would like to submit events to be considered for the blog calendar please email Jasmine Presley or call 574-1109.

Thursday, August 24^th:  Carmichael’s Bookstore Event - Join us for a spectacular trio of authors Meagan Lucas, Frank Bill and J. Todd Scott on Thursday, August 24, 2023 at 7:00pm (2720 Frankfort Avenue)  For fans of gritty, dark literature.

Friday, August 25^th:  The APH Museum’s Braille Readers Theater production of “Their Story, Their Song,” a new play by B.T. Kimbrough, opens August 25 at 7pm with another performance August 26 at 1pm. Both performances are at the Crescent Hill Presbyterian Church. There is no ticket fee. Reservations can be made by emailing kcarpenter@aph.org or calling 502-899-2213

Sunday, August 27^th:  Celebrate 20 years of an amazing local art community - Mellwood Art Center (1860 Mellwood Ave., Louisville, KY 40206).  The whole family can enjoy carnival games with prizes, community art projects, a silent disco, contra dancing, and more in their two largest event rooms. Close out the night at the main stage with a Karaoke Competition from 6-9 p.m. featuring cash prizes!  Admission and parking are free! Pets are welcome on-leash.

Monday, August 28^th:  Carmichael’s Bookstore Event - Monday August 28^th at 7pm at 2720 Frankfort Ave - In Country and Midwestern, veteran journalist Mark Guarino tells the epic century-long story of Chicago’s influence on sounds typically associated with regions further south.

Tuesday, August 29^th:  Join us at Carmichael’s Bookstore for a Community Book Club highlight “Forbidden Notebook” on Tuesday August 29^th at 7pm (2720 Frankfort Ave).  In this modern translation by acclaimed Elena Ferrante translator Ann Goldstein, Forbidden Notebook centers the inner life of a dissatisfied housewife living in postwar Rome.

Thursday, September 7^th:  Save the date for the 2023 Spirit of Crescent Hill Awards  honoring Ann Adams Terry Dunham, Dot Hagan, Roy Schroeder, Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken.  Join us for free, family fun on Thursdday, September 7^th at the Peterson-Dumesnil House (301 S Peterson Ave).  Neighborhood meeting will begin at 6:30pm, followed by awards at 7pm, and desserts at 7:30pm.

Thursday, September 7^th:  Carmichael’s Bookstore Event - Join us for a panel discussion on September 7^th at 7pm with some of Louisville's leading female social justice advocates including Attica Scott, Cate Fosl, Lindsay Shelden, and Shameka Parrish-Wright. Moderated by Hilary Moore

Wednesday, September 13^th:  Meet with Councilman Andrew Owen at 11am on 8/13 at UCHM, where he will be available to speak with District 9 constituents about any questions, concerns, etc.

Monday, September 18^th:  League of Women Voters of Louisville presents a Democracy in Action Meeting covering crime & safety on Monday, September 18^th from 5:30-7:30pm at 115 S Ewing Ave.  For further information, contact the League at 502-895-5218 or email: lwvlouisville@gmail.com

Friday, September 29^th: Hit It For Hildegard’s 7^th Annual Golf Scramble benefits Hildegard House, Kentucky’s first and only comfort care home. We provide a home and compassionate care to indviduals at the end of life who have no home or loved ones to care for them so that they may die with dignity.  We don’t charge our residents a fee, but rely totally on donations and grants.  Register here

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