All aboard! The date for the this year's ride on the Spirit of Jefferson steamboat has been set for Sunday, October 26. Departing from Riverview Park (formerly the Greenwood Boat Docks), there will be rides offered at 1:30 & 4:00pm with boarding beginning a half hour before each respective cruise.

In order to accommodate the largest number of people, both planners and procrastinators, there are two options available this year to secure your spot.

First, the event is free and open to the public and you can simply come the day of the cruise and tickets will be dispersed on a first-come, first-served basis.

If, however, you like to plan ahead and are interested in guaranteeing your spot on either cruise, you can do so by making a (suggested $5.00) donation to Southwest Community Ministries. 

Just swing by the Southwest Community Ministries office (8504 Terry Road) during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, to make your donation and reserve a spot for your group (please limit 8 per individual donation).

By choosing the latter you can "lock-in" your spot to be boarded first the day of the cruise and support the wonderful work of Southwest Community Ministries at the same time.

Call the D12 office at 574-1112 for further info or questions about the Spirit of Jefferson cruises.

If you're a SmartPhone or tablet user, there's a cool new way to keep up to the minute on the happenings in District 12.

Yapp is essentially a free customized app, a way to share information, pictures, and news about events in District 12 and Southwest Louisville.

It's a fun, simple, and informal way to connect with constituents. Once added to your SmartPhone or tablet, you will be able to answer polling questions providing feedback on various issues, share pictures from the Riverview Independence Festival or other Southwest events, or use as a quick reference for important dates, times, and phone numbers so they're just a touch away.

It's a new technology for us as well, so stay tuned throughout the summer as more content is added and shared.

Follow these instructions to start Yappin' with us today!

(1) Visit my.yapp.us/CMBlackwell on your iOS or Android phone.

(2) Open up the Yapp app and flip through the Welcome screens. Then, you should see the District 12 app inside.

The sixth annual Spin-a-Yarn Storytelling Festival is set for Saturday, May 31, 2012 from 11:30am-2:30pm.at The Little Loomhouse (328 Kenwood Hill Road).

The festival will be presenting storytelling from many talented Kentuckiana residents as well as music, food, face painting, a silent auction, a plant sale, and weaving demonstrations. 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 hand-weaving and its history alive.

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

The first 200 visitors to the Spin-A-Yarn Storytelling Festival will receive a free Little Loomhouse t-shirt.

You can learn more about this terrific event at the Spin-a-Yarn Facebook page here.

General Admission: $2 per person. Seniors 65 and older $1 and children under 6 are free. 
Parking: DeSales High School, 425 W. Kenwood Drive. A shuttle will run the duration of the event.

All proceeds benefit The Little Loomhouse.

There is still time to enroll in Leadership Louisville, a unique program that trains and connects the leaders of tomorrow.

The program is offered by the Leadership Louisville Center to further its mission to grow and connect a diverse network of leaders to be catalysts for a world-class community. Through leadership programs, events and member-oriented programming designed to inspire, participants are challenged and connected people at all levels of leadership development.

The Leadership Louisville program has served as the proven course for our community’s most influential leaders for over 35 years.  Through this program, participants are able to:

• Immerse themselves in Louisville and gain a deep, personal understanding of our community’s shared successes and challenges;
•  Enjoy life-changing experiences in the company of Louisville’s most esteemed leaders;
• Build a long-lasting network of distinguished colleagues; and
• Understand how they can help shape the future of our city.

Leadership Louisville is a ten-month experience that allows participants to raise their profile and expand their circles of influence, both within their companies and in the region as a whole.

You can apply online to be part of this unique experience at www.leadershiplouisville.org/apply-online/ through Friday, May 23.

Metro Parks is offering an affordable family golfing package at its nine golf courses during Memorial Day weekend.

For only $20, a family of up to four members can play nine holes at any Metro Parks course. The $20 includes greens and cart fees, and families can take advantage of the deal after 4:30 p.m. on three days: Saturday, May 24, Sunday, May 25 and Monday, May 26.

Families are encouraged to call in advance to book a tee time at the golf course of their choice! Metro Parks golf courses are open from daylight to dark seven days a week.

About Metro Parks Golf:
Louisville's nine public golf courses offer a quality golfing experience at some of the most affordable prices in the nation. Each course has its own unique character, and some consistently rank among Kentucky's best and most challenging courses. The nine municipally-owned golf courses meet the needs of everyone from beginners to scratch golfers. For more information, visit http://www.louisvilleky.gov/MetroParks/golf.

• Bobby Nichols Golf Course, 4301 E. Pages Lane, 502/937-9051 (9 holes)
• Charlie Vettiner Golf Course, 10207 Mary Dell Lane, 502/267-9958 (18 holes)
• Cherokee Golf Course, 2501 Alexander Road, 502/458-9450 (9 holes)
• Crescent Hill Golf Course, 3110 Brownsboro Road, 502/896-9193 (9 holes)
• Iroquois Golf Course, 1501 Rundill Road, 502/363-9520 (18 holes)
• Long Run Golf Course, 1605 Flat Rock Road, 502/245-9015 (18 holes)
• Seneca Golf Course, 2300 Pee Wee Reese Blvd, 502/458-9298 (18 holes)
• Shawnee Golf Course, 460 Northwestern Parkway, 502/776-9389 (18 holes)
• Sun Valley Golf Course, 6505 Bethany Lane, 502/937-9228 (18 holes)