TOPS Louisville: August 2017

August 2017 // Priceless

TOPS Who’s Who // What’s New // What To Do AUGUST 2017

[film] Soozie Eastman

[music] JK McKnight

[sports] Darrell Griffith

Vol. 1 • No. 8

[food] Damaris Phillips

WHAT MAKES LOUISVILLE GREAT

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FUNDAMENTALS at home tour of homes: High Style

36

faces+places

36

New+Noteworthy: It Is Rocket Science

50

Food For Thought

52

Meet the media: Terry Meiners

56

Tops Cares: A Vacation From Cancer

88

This Family Robinson

90

Cover Story: Four Influencers

92

cuisine Dining: Still Hot

96

Chef: Jason Adams

98

Recipe: The English Grill’s Seafood Club

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TOP 5 Dining: Great Tastes

102

life+style

96

WOW Wedding: Lindsey & Whit

106

Boutique(s) Spotlight: Westport Village

112

Look of the Month: The Romantic Romper

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family Super Mom: Helen Wray

118

Parites: Little Guests, Big Fun

122

Pets: It Takes A ‘Ville

124

arts+entertainment Music: All That (Louisville) Jazz

128

Film: Lights...Camera...Louisville!

130

community

106

6 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

A Great Rivalry

134

Advice from Two Mid-Life Crisis Males

136

Calendar: What to do in Lou

142

ENJOY RESPONSIBLY © 2017 SHOCK TOP BREWING CO., SHOCK TOP® BELGIAN-STYLE WHEAT ALE, ST. LOUIS, MO

PHOTOS

26

Out & About

24

LIBA Buy Local Fair

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Ignite The Night

26

Power of One Pajama Party

28

Power of One Gala

30

Hearty Party

32

Beers and Brats on Baxter

136

Homearama

138

Flyover Film Festival

139

Westport Village Summer Concert Series

140

Forecastle Festival

141

TOP SHOTS

146

Event photo captions are typically provided to TOPS by the event organizers.

We do our best to check names and spelling, but we are all human and make mistakes. Please contact pam@topslouisville.com with any corrections and we will make note of it in the next issue.

139

CONTRIBUTORS Photographers

Danny Alexander Dick Arnspiger Joy Bauer Brian Bohannon Jolea Brown Tim Furlong Jr. David Harrison Antonio Pantoja

8 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

Writers

Tara Bassett Drew Deener Rocko Jerome Steve Kaufman Marcella Kragel Ina Miller Tony Vanetti Dwight Witten

Cover image

by Antonio Pantoja

NEXT MONTH

September Fall Fashion!

TOP Marketing Group 100 Executive park, Suite 101 Louisville, Ky 40207 (502) 780-7825 topslouisville.com

Vol 1 • No. 8

Keith Yarber

Pam Leet

Christine Fellingham

Mary George Meiners

Publisher kyarber@topsmarketing.com

General Manager pam@topslouisville.com

Editor-in-Chief christine@topslouisville.com

General Sales Manager mary@topslouisville.com

Laurie Pfeiffer Lennon

Advertising Account Executive laurie@topslouisville.com

Scott Weining

Advertising Account Executive scott@topslouisville.com

Julie Mitchell

Advertising Account Executive julie@topslouisville.com

Terri Waller

Advertising Account Executive terri@topslouisville.com

Joanna Hite Shelton

Rocko Jerome

Production Manager + Lead Graphic Designer joanna@topslouisville.com

Brand Ambassador rocko@topslouisville.com

The views and comments expressed by the authors are not always that of our editors or publishers. While every effort has been made to ensure th accuracy of the information in this publication, TOP Marketing Group accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions or resultant consequences, including any loss or damage arising from the reliance on information in this publication. All images contained in TOPS Louisville magazine are subject to the copyright of the artist or photographer as named, but not limited thereto. Reproduction of any part of this magazine without prior written permission is prohibited.

10 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

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ASSESSMENT

Letter from the editor

August 2017 // Priceless

TOPS Who’s Who // What’s New // What To Do AUGUST 2017

[film] Soozie Eastman

[music] JK McKnight

[sports] Darrell Griffith

Vol. 1 • No. 8

[food] Damaris Phillips

WHAT MAKES LOUISVILLE GREAT

OUR COVER SHOOT Location: The Brown Hotel Rooftop Garden PHOTOGRAPHER: Antonio Pantoja Hair and makeup: Jessie Coleman for Joseph’s Salon and Spa On Damaris Phillips: Shoshanna dress from Merci Boutique in Chenoweth Square, Summer Eliason earrings, $268, and cuff bracelet, $320, at Jenkins Eliason.

WHAT MAKES LOUISVILLE LOOK GREAT?

H

ow about a vantage point from the top of one of our most historic and critically-acclaimed hotels? Standing on the recently-renovated rooftop garden of the venerable Brown Hotel with four impressive, influential Louisvillians, contemplating the sweeping three-hundred-andsixty degree view is the kind of it-can-only-happenin-Lou moment that makes me glad I proudly call this place home.

The skyline looks pretty impressive from the sixteenth floor of The Brown, should you ever get a chance to get up there. Even on a crazy-hot, nine-

CHRISTINE FELLINGHAM Editor-in-Chief

12 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

ty-eight-degree day. Not because it’s the biggest, newest, tallest, but because it’s a striking snapshot of history, diversity, high rises, green spaces… and growth. The fact that these very busy, very worldly influencers seemed just as wowed by the view and the company underscores just how special this place is.

Louisville is an impressive city full of impressive people. What it’s not is jaded. The city and its people haven’t lost our sense of wonder; in fact, we revel in it. This issue celebrates this city, its citizens and our even greater-looking future. I hope it gives you an exhilarating vantage point of your hometown.

Contributors

NANCY MILLER

WRITER, this month’s cuisine section Nancy Miller is currently a columnist and is the former restaurant critic for The Courier-Journal.

She also writes about food and dining, interior design and feature subjects for a variety of publications. The author of four volumes of Secrets of Louisville Chefs Cookbook; two other cookbooks and 100 Fascinating Louisville Women, she is working on a book about Chicago chefs and restaurants that will be published in the fall. Ms. Miller has made frequent appearances on radio and television and has been the featured speaker at numerous events. In addition, she is founder and president of Miller Madison, a marketing communications firm.

ANTONIO PANTOJA

INA MILLER AND MARCELLA KRAGEL

PHOTOGRAPHER, Cover

COLUMNISTS, family section Our resident party planners, Ina and Marcella co-own Ina Marcella Events, a full-service event planning and creative consulting business. With shared backgrounds in the arts and non-profit management and a mutual passion for community engagement, Ina and Marcella have developed a unique approach to event planning aimed at creating inspired one-of-a-kind events for their clients. Ina and Marcella have been friends for twenty years and each is married with three children

This is Antonio’s fourth TOPS cover. In the past year, he has won over thirty awards for his efforts in photography and film.

He is extremely passionate about his craft. If he woke up tomorrow as a millionaire, the first he’d want to do is pick up his camera and shoot. “If you love your job, you never have to work a day in your life.” (Photo of Antonio by Gary Barragan.)

DAVID HARRISON PHOTOGRAPHER, this month’s Life + Style section

ROCKO JEROME

WRITER, this month’s Arts section Rocko Jerome, Brand Ambassador for Tops, is a lifelong Louisville native who loves his town and a good story.

He’s written for a number of periodicals including the international Vintage Rock magazine, as well as essays and short stories in several publications, all of which are available on Amazon.

“I graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in Journalism.

I’ve worked for newspapers in Colorado, Kansas, Arizona and Kentucky.

Until recently, I was the Director of Photography at The Courier-Journal.

Now I’m enjoying shooting advertising, corporate and editorial assignments.

I’m married to a wonderful woman and have three unique and talented kids…and a golden retriever. I love most things that involve internal combustion; especially with only two wheels.

FAVORITE QUOTE: “There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games,” Ernest Hemingway.

TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017 13

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notes DOWNTOWN HEATS UP It has the Yum Center. Kentucky Center. Ali Center.

Whiskey Row. It will soon have an Omni Hotel. And a transformed Convention Center. And 692 new residential units. And now downtown Louisville is about to have its very own signature song. The Louisville Downtown Partnership-- an organization devoted to promoting growth, awareness and engagement in our downtown area-has commissioned local personality and man about town Wil Heuser (son of Heuser Health founders Louis and Peg Heuser) to create a tune and video that literally sing the praises of our burgeoning metropolis.

“It’s a call to action to come and enjoy all of the things we have downtown that other cities don’t,” says Heuser.

“There are so many exciting things happening. There’s the Omni and the Convention Center, of course, but there are little pockets of construction all over downtown and so many new reasons to explore it. The landscape is changing so dramatically. ”The song, which Heuser describes as an adult contemporary tribute to Petula Clark’s 1963 iconic “Downtown” pop ballad is scheduled to be launched in the Fall with a video that features cameos from over fifty local notables including ballet dancers, chefs, athletes, sports figures, broadcast personalities, actors and artists. “People love this city; when I called and asked, they always said yes,” says Heuser. Also making an appearance will be the first issue of TOPS-- in a scene with one former cover model and fans. “This project came out of a discussion I had with Jeanne Hilt from the Downtown Partnership at the February TOPS launch party, so we had to give it a plug!” says Heuser. We’ll take it. After all, we’d like to think that our new monthly is another new endeavor that makes our city shine. (Go to louisvilledowntown.org for more info.)

Photo by Dick Arnspiger

top notes

Raising The Bar On the bar menu at La Chasse: a new flavor pairing menu that combines wine or spirits with small bites.

Nancy Miller orders some enticing flavor combinations.

By Nancy Miller • Photos by David Harrison

16 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

L

a Chasse’s unique, new beverage program is an exploration of flavor pairings that are sure to excite your palate.

Choose a craft cocktail, an exotic spirit, a glass or wine or a craft beer from the recently introduced flavor pairing portion of the menu. The beverage is served on a slate or hardwood board with three small “bites” that complement the flavors of the beverage or enhance the existing flavors within the beverage.

The food, created by Executive Chef Andrew Weleken, right, covers a wide range of ingredients and includes flavors such as sweet, salty and sour, and an array of textures. You’ll be able to sample local

produce, exotic cheese, artisan bread and house-made compotes, jellies, forcemeats and pastries. A variety of textures are presented as well.

“We’re sourcing beverages from around the world. The food pairings are created by Executive Chef Andrew Welenken,” says La Chasse owner and Head Bartender, Isaac Fox. “It is a totally immersive experience.”

La Chasse Rosé Côtes-du-Rhône + cherries, strawberries, Derby sage cheese and smoked Marcona almonds.

A Mai Tai made with Blackwell rum + grilled pineapple, candied orange and Marcona almonds.

Polugar #3 Caraway + Brussels sprouts slaw, goat cheese, rémoulade and pickled Fresno chile.

Michter’s bourbon + braised short rib, bourbon carrot mousse and Bordelaise sauce.

TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017 17

top notes

Dynamic Dining A bold new restaurant concept right across the river, MESA, brings Iron Chef style performances right to your table and excitement to your meal—whether it’s date night or the most spectacular birthday party, rehearsal dinner or team meeting you’ve ever thrown.

T

he revival just across the river has to be added to the lengthy What Makes Louisville Great list. And a big part of the buzz over in downtown New Albany is the gutsy new MESA Collaborative Kitchen at 216 Pearl Street—a creation of real estate developers Bobby and Ysha Bass, residents of Southern Indiana and owners of the Bass Real Estate Group.

The intimate restaurant-slash-kitchen seats twenty to twenty-three diners around a stunning cooking station where local culinary superstars prepare memorable meals before their eyes. Bobby Benjamin, nationally-celebrated chef of Butchertown Grocery, is already a regular. The concept, a foodie’s dream, promises to become a party and event planner’s hot spot; Bass will book the place for parties and events and even cater the menu—and sometimes even the chef—to the group’s preferences. With seating so scarce, you’d better book that Fiftieth birthday party now. (Tickets range from $40 to $150 each, depending on the time and chef. For information and reservations, go to mesachefs.com.)

Art For The People A

ccessible art is one of the many perks of life in Lou. And we’re heading into high season for art fairs—events where you can get up close and personal with local art and local artists. While the nationally-renowned St. James Art Fair held every October sets the bar, many of our city’s smaller fairs also offer carefully-curated objects and an opportunity to acquire a unique creation that enhances your home and speaks to you.

Those in search of an engaging, obsessively local art fair for the whole family can enjoy can stop by Mellwood Center at 1860 Mellwood Avenue on September 9 and 10. Their ninth annual fair showcases the creations of over three hundred juried and resident artists and craftspeople—including oil paintings, pottery, mixed medium, jewelry, sculpture, textiles, millinery and décor. Artists will set up outside and inside their 340,000 square foot complex full of local shops and locally-produced items. Live performances from Frogman, Fleur de Lis Ballet, CirquLou; bourbon tastings and food and drink from Comfy Cow, Steel City Pops, Long Shot Lobster, Flavaville Food Truck, Kentucky Smoked BBQ, Danny Macs Pizza and Against the Grain add up to the makings of a perfect fall outing. Get it into your calendar. For more info, go to mellwoodartscenter.com.

18 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

It Takes a Village.

For shoppers with an appetite for life, Westport Village has it all. With more than 40 local shops, it’s Louisville’s one stop for home, health, fashion and food.

1315 Herr Lane • Louisville, Kentucky 40222 • westportvillage.com

TOP of Mind

What Makes Louisville Great?

“It’s the gateway to Bourbon Country, home of a renowned park system, global sporting events, arts and cultural epicenter of the South.”

“Our park system! The Parklands adds another dimension to the vision Frederick Olmstead had years ago. We are a pearl in the middle of America.”

“With its incredible food and libations, sports teams and events, cultural outlets and resources, parklands and open spaces, Louisville is a city where there is truly something for everyone.”

JK MCKNIGHT,

TERRY MEINERS,

SOOZIE EASTMAN,

Founder of Forecastle

WHAS radio host and Great Day Live co-host

Executive Director of the Louisville Film Society

“You can afford to buy a house here. And you can afford to take advantage of all of the culture, restaurants and entertainment. We have everything that matters.”

DAMARIS PHILLIPS, host of Food Network’s Super Southern Eats

20 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

“If you want a slow-paced life, you can have it here. If you want a fast-paced life, there’s a fashion show every Tuesday and a gala every Saturday.”

WIL HEUSER, Local television personality, former Big Brother cast member

“Its people!”

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OUT + ABout Happenings in the City

American Heart Association’s Hearty Party

Colon Cancer Prevention Project’s 100 Holes of Golf Event

Whisky Chicks Bring You the Next Generation of Distilling

Main Street Association’s Summer Happy Hour Series

Flyover Film Festival

Louisville Downtown Partnership video filming

22 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

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LIBA Buy Local Fair Louisville Water Tower Park | July 2 | keeplouisvilleweird.com | Photos by Anissa Pate

Vonda MacFarlane and Brian Mosbarger

Luanne Suer and Grace Suer

more photos online!

Topslouisville.com

Cheryl and Jerry Johnson

Frances and Jeremy Simmons

Brianna Henry, Stephanie Gravatte and Erin Grant

Beth and Brian Hartvigsen

Charlie and Kathy Morgan, Debbie Murphy

24 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

Kim Green and Chad Hamilton

more photos online!

Topslouisville.com

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Ignite the Night

more photos online!

Topslouisville.com

800 Tower City Apartments | July 13 | leadershiplouisville.com | Photos by Dick Arnspiger

Sheena Sunkett, Tianna Barnes-Palmer and Sydney Davis

Nick Romanoff, Jenny Howard, Angela Campbell and Nick Porter

Holly Prather and Christine Vaughan Todd Bensen and Matt Cecil

Sandra Wu and Jesse Hendrix

26 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

Chona Camomot and Will Meyers

Josh Sewell, John Weber and Ellen Hauber

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Power of One Pajama Party Frazier History Museum | July 13 | fraziermuseum.org | Photos by Jolea Brown

Krista Drescher Burke with Penny and Molly Burke

Eric and Maggie Hay

Lily Gilbert and Izzy Grass

28 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

more photos online!

Topslouisville.com

Justin Shell, A’Lijiah Criter and Mark Wood JR

Brook Vaughn, Izzie Maki and Mary Jane Pierce

Olivia Marcum and Tammy Pennington

Molly and Madeline Knigge

Lizzie and Jennifer Crouch

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Power of One Gala Frazier History Museum | July 14 | fraziermuseum.org | Jolea Brown

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AHA Hearty Party Mellwood Art Center | July 21 | heart.org | Photos by Dick Arnspiger

Heather Scott and Heidi Hemong

Spencer Holden, Devon Iler and Heather Nobbe

Muhammad Ali Center Peggy Heuser, Ashley Mason and Regan Judd

Eric Zipperle, Adam Zipperle and Tiffany Wirth

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32 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

Kylie Marshall-Bohn, Charlie Campbell, April Marshal

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2013 Longest Ave Louisville, Ky 40204 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017 33

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36 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

With a shared passion for design and modern aesthetics, fashion entrepreneur Yamilca Rodriguez and her marketing executive husband Rolf Provan persevered through zoning issues, location changes and career upheavals to create their dream house on a hill.

By Christine Fellingham • Photos by Tim Furlong Jr.

A

top a hill at the end of a windy, wooded Goshen street sits a house that looks nothing like the neighboring horse farms and country homes.

With its rustic wood and glass exterior, the home blends seamlessly into its environment to create a breathtaking composition of architecture and nature rather than a jarring juxtaposition. It’s a masterful design achievement by architect David Biagi and a couple who were driven to create a dwelling designed to meet their modern aesthetic and the needs of Rolf’s twenty-two-year-old son Lawrence who has autism and cerebral palsy.

Completing the home was a 17-year odyssey that began before the couple even met.

“Rolf had commissioned David to draw up plans 17 years ago,” says Yamilca. “At that time, Lawrence couldn’t walk. So Rolf (and Lawrence’s mother, Leonor) wanted to create a house which was completely accessible. Rolf is also very into design, so he would research everything on-line and in magazines and he had inspiration photos for everything in the home.” Years later, Yamilca was drawing up her own plans. “Before I had moved to Louisville from Cincinnati (where she had been a packaging designer with Procter & Gamble), I was thinking about the home I’d like to live in. I kept looking and couldn’t find anything. So I was renting and sketching ideas. After Rolf and I started dating, I saw the model of his home and it looked almost exactly like my sketches.”

TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017 37

at home

Tour Of Homes

T

he aesthetic coincidences began even earlier. “On one of our first dates, he walked into my apartment and saw that we had the same random West Elm bookshelf,” she laughs. “We knew it was meant to be.” The house, however didn’t come together as easily as the relationship. When the two met, Rolf first found

a location 16 years earlier. He had actually purchased a piece of property in Prospect only to have to sell it again when his plans for the home couldn’t get approved on that site. Life intervened. Yamilca left a job at Scoppechio and started the local fashion collective Louisville Bespoke. Rolf left a marketing job at a major corporation to start a new venture. “We still talked about the plans, but we also started looking for homes,” says Yamilca. “Then Rolf found a piece of property in Goshen.”

For Yamilca, who had moved from another city, Goshen seemed like another world. “When he told me about the land, my first reaction was ‘Where is that? It sounded so far out from everything.’” He drove her out to see it. “I didn’t fall for it right away. We kept looking but he kept working on me. Eventually, I saw the potential. It was a perfect piece of land at the end of a street. There was a stream and a hill and a beautiful view. I realized it could work.”

The two decided to go for it. The plans for their dream home were resurrected but Biagi had to tweak them for the new location and their new needs. Now it was a home for three, not two. And Lawrence was twenty-one and miraculously had been walking for years but still wasn’t confident negotiating steps. Both had come up with some new ideas in the interim and all of those had to be folded into the refreshed design. “I needed a bigger closet,” laughs Yamilca. “And I also wanted to incorporate more wood into the exterior to reflect the surroundings.” Since Rolf had lived through the disappointment of buying a piece of land only to have to resell it, the pair bought the property on contingency: They would buy the land once the full plans were approved. This time, they were.

38 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

Eventually, I saw the potential. It was a perfect piece of land at the end of a street. There was a stream and a hill and a beautiful view. I realized it could work.

TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017 39

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heir shared dream started to become a reality—although not without some of the typical surprises that occur with new construction. At David’s recommendaion, they hired UK School of Design colleague Bruce Swetnam to build the house. “The original plans had no basement, but the house that had been there before did, so David felt we had to dig the old one out to make sure the house was stable,” says Yamilca. As the building progressed, they also decided to make the home as green as possible and solar panels and geo-thermal heating and cooling were added to the project. A wrap-around deck was added to the plans then enlarged; a two-sided fireplace became a one sided fireplace with a custom-designed media center on the backside. Throughout the process, the couple, Biagi and builder Swetnam worked closely together. “We would sketch things— like our island. David would draw up plans and Bruce would provide his input. There was a lot of collaboration,” says Yamilca.

40 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

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W

hile many materials were local, Rolf also spent hours on line sourcing fixtures and materials both to meet their specific taste and their straining budget. “We added solar panels and a basement and things start to add up,” says Yamilca. “Rolf found opportunities to offset the costs and he was also very passionate about the details. He picked out every light fixture and every faucet.” The look and feel of the home was very much a matter of design give-and-take. Yamilca decided where every drawer in the kitchen would go; Rolf suggested the pop out outlets in the island; Yamilca added fuchsia bathroom walls and a royal blue accent wall to their otherwise all-white paint palette and Rolf suggested the white silestone rather than Yamilca’s preferred marble for their countertops.

42 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

It has evolved from the original blueprint, but we have been involved in every step. It was very personal.

It felt almost surreal to walk through the front door.

Yamilca And Rolf’s Decor Sources Architect: David Biagi Builder: Bruce Swetnam Mahogany Front door: Bill Hamilton Fireplace: Fireplace Distributors, 5810 Fern Valley Road, 502-964-5996 Geothermal HVAC: Allgeier Air Countertops and stonework: Silestone White Zeus Extreme from Roberts Stone, Shelbyville Downdraft Range Hood and internal blower: Faber Scirocco Induction Range: Samsung Floors: Carrell Rogers Carpet One Hillshire 5�

Hickory Hardwood EVOline pop-up outlets: Schulte Electro Systems Corporation IL 60554 Master walk-in closet: Closets by design, 1301 Herr Lane, Louisville, 502-425-4728 Master Bathroom white wall tile: Daltile 12x24 CP01 Gesso Gloss from Daltile Sales Service Center, 4621 Proximity Dr., Louisville, 502-968-0558 Master bath tub: Americh Wright WR7232T

TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017 43

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hen the home was completed in October, it was the happy culmination of many years of dreaming and planning. “It had evolved from the original blueprint but we have been involved in every step, so it felt very personal,” says Yamilca. “It was almost surreal to walk through the front door.” Life in their glass and wood home on a hill has fulfilled their dream. “Lawrence is very happy here and so are we,” says Yamilca.

There have been some unexpected surprises. “Rolf has learned to use a chainsaw,” she says. “He has cleared the property along the stream so you can see it from the deck. The green features have been a smart investment. I think our summer utility bill is around twenty dollars. The house is always cool in the summer and warm in the winter. And with all of the windows, we rarely turn on a light even at night because we’ve found that moonlight is brighter than you think.” And that drive out to Goshen from Bespoke’s offices in Germantown? “It’s not as long as I thought,” laughs Yamilca. “It feels more like a retreat.” The commute, like the journey from dream to dwelling are time well spent. As the couple’s sparkling showplace of a home suggests, some things are clearly worth the wait.

44 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

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Tour Of Homes

Paint Colors

It’s the question we get asked most often about our décor stories: What color paint did they use? Here, Yamilca and Rolf share theirs:

Powder room

Feature Wall

Living room, dining room, kitchen

Sherwin Williams Diva Glam

Sherwin Williams Dark Cobalt

Sherwin Williams Eggshell

Brown exterior

White exterior

Behr premium #SC-11 Wood Chip Solid Color

Behr premium white 5011/211Solid Color

Weather-proofing Stain and Sealer

Weather-proofing Stain and Sealer

46 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

BENEFITING NORTON CANCER INSTITUTE

Sept. 9, 2017 Norton Children’s Medical Center To register and for more information, visit BikeToBeatCancer.org or call (502) 629-8060.

H O P E . S T R E N GT H . C O U R AG E .

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FACES+PLACES

New & Noteworthy: It Is Rocket Science Food for Thought Meet the Media: Terry Meiners Making Louisville Greater Keep it Local Show Your Cards TOPS Cares: A Vacation from Cancer This Family Robinson Cover Story: Four Influencers

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faces+places

It Is Rocket Science How a restless but intelligent African-American girl and Louisville native went from first-grade troublemaker to NASA engineer. And no! This is not that movie.

By Steve Kaufman • Photos by David Harrison

All of which led, eventually, to a “disruptive” first-grader becoming a flight systems engineer in NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Proving that if good primary education is not rocket science, it’s not entirely unrelated.

If you’re beginning to see a similarity between this Louisville youngster and the little West Virginia girl in the beginning of the movie, “Hidden Figures,” you’re not entirely wrong. In the movie, smart, caring people in Katherine Johnson’s young life channeled her prodigious math abilities and she ended up plotting navigation charts for NASA’s Mercury program, including John Glenn’s 1963 orbit around the Earth.

So, is this life imitating life?

Now in her thirties, Tracy Drain laughs.

(She was married to fellow NASA worker Ted Drain in 2003.) “Well, I wasn’t exactly a math prodigy,” she says. “But I was interested in a lot of things, and outer space did hold my interest.” Growing up in Louisville, she went to all the “Star Wars” and “Star Trek” movies with her mother, and they watched all the shuttle launches on TV. Of course, if every child who went to see “Star Trek” with her mother ended up working at NASA, the facility couldn’t contain them all. Drain was fortunate in that, after her sophomore year as a Mechanical Engineering major at the University of Kentucky, she landed an internship at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va. “And I was hooked!” Drain says. “I still had no idea what I wanted to do there, but I wanted to be a part of it.”

So she went on for a masters degree at Georgia Tech, with a still-unformed idea of what her role might be in the space program. “I thought I’d help build space shuttles,” she says.

Y

oung children who are restless, inattentive and act up in school are often categorized as “discipline problems,” get treated as discipline problems and – what a surprise! – end up as discipline problems.

Then there was little Tracy Williams. The first grade teacher at Wheatley Elementary School told Eddie Mae Williams that her

50 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

six-year-old daughter, Tracy, was causing trouble, talking constantly – “I mean, constantly!” – and being generally disruptive.

What she has become is a systems engineer, a coordinator working with all the various teams that build spacecraft, making sure all their different parts are fitting together and working efficiently.

However, this Louisville teacher decided that Tracy was not a discipline problem, that she was simply bored and too intelligent for the first-grade curriculum. So she recommended moving the youngster up to an advanced program.

“It’s the creative-thinking, problem-solving part of engineering,” she explains. “I love solving technical problems.

If I’d known that job existed, it would have been exactly the kind of job I’d have been interested in all along.”

There’s another part of the “Hidden Figures” story that Drain identifies with. As an African-American woman, she knows the hurdles and misconceptions that can discourage youngsters like her from pursuing high-tech careers. While Drain never had to run to another building in the rain just to use the “colored” bathroom, she did have to prove herself in a mostly male, mostly white environment.

“Ever since the movie came out,” she says, “I’ve been getting more requests to speak to minority students and female students, because people feel it’s important to have a role model these kids can relate to.”

The pillars of her message are twofold: One, find your passion. “I tell them science and engineering need not be boring and stuffy,” she says. “My job is also crazy lots of fun. But the challenge to all of them is to find out what they think is fascinating, what gives them pleasure and excitement, and then pursue it.

“I hear so many kids – especially older kids – say they’re hunting for a career path that feels right to them. But when I talk about my life, I can see it happen in real time as they realize they can have jobs that are exciting to them. I get a lot of satisfaction from that.”

And two, you needn’t be perfect to aim for the stars. “I tell them I had my own rough patch in fifth grade, getting D’s and F’s,” she says. “In fact, I also got some D’s in college. Is there anyone who can never make a mistake? That’s ridiculous – you’ll make plenty of mistakes, all along the way.

But you have to persevere and keep going, try harder. You can do it.”

Drain sees herself as “a mold-breaker.”

Female, African American, irreverent and fun (she once went to a NASA Halloween party, with friends, as the Spice Girls), “I know I don’t fit the mold of a NASA engineer. But you know what? There are a bunch of us out there, just like me. So, clearly, the mold must be wrong. Or maybe it’s just obsolete.”

CELEBRATING KENTUCKY: THE LOUISVILLE NON-PROFIT THAT SHOWCASES INDIGENOUS TALENT Tracy Drain made one of her motivational, inspirational appearances in her very own hometown in June, courtesy of

the organization Kentucky to the World.

She addressed a group of 150 middle-schoolers that morning at the Kentucky Science Center, then a young-adult audience at Copper & Kings Distillery in the evening.

transplant surgeon Dr. Sander Florman; Emmy Award-winning composer Jonathan Wolff; D.C. political writer Perry Bacon Jr.; the medical/legal/beauty-marketing Booth sisters; and others, all Kentucky natives.

As a native Louisvillian, Drain is typical of the speakers Kentucky to the World (KTW) has brought home since its 2013 founding. The KTW mission statement, developed by president Shelly Zegart, is “to showcase outstanding men and women with strong Kentucky ties . . . to promote a positive narrative about Kentucky.”

Drain, however, was the first in KTW’s new Modern Thinker Social Series, aimed at a younger audience.

The KTW speaker series, sponsored by Republic Bank Foundation in collaboration with Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, began in 2013 with Devin Emke, a sound engineer on Saturday Night Live. Since then, featured speakers have included husband-and-wife New York Times journalists Sharon LaFraniere and Michael Wines; General Motors automobile designer Bill Porter; New York

In addition to the speaker, says Johns, the festival-like series will include other experiential components, like food, music, art and interactivity. For the Tracy Drain presentation, KTW partnered with the Louisville Astronomical Society, setting up solar and lunar telescopes outside the facility to introduce attendees to the vastness of the space around them – the space Drain is working to explore.

“It’s a natural extension of our main program,” says KTW producer and cinematographer Tommy Johns, who came up with the Modern Thinker concept. “We’re looking to appeal to a broader, slightly younger, demographic.”

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faces+places

Food For Thought Who helps put meals on the tables of atrisk populations when social services can’t?

That’s the question that local entrepreneur John Shaw-Woo answered by assembling a board of Louisville influencers and creating the nonprofit GFoundation which focuses on ending hunger and providing nutritious food for seniors and veterans who need it most.

By Christine Fellingham

H

is story is another example of the social consciousness and grassroots activism that makes this city special. John Shaw-Woo’s vision of a fast-but-healthy food company was slightly ahead of its time when he launched his GMeals in 2012. Two years in, although he was attracting corporate clients like KentuckyOne, Louisville Athletic Clubs and United Parcel Service Inc., he decided to begin to shutter his venture: “It was a struggle from day one and I was physically and mentally exhausted,” says Shaw-Woo. However, his passion for promoting healthful eating didn’t wane. As he was considering his next steps and shutting down his operations, he explored the possibility of shifting his focus to feeding Louisvillians who were at risk of going hungry.

“In thinking about the exit strategy, I began to wonder if Gmeals would convert to a nonprofit. If I could use the infrastructure to do some good in the community.”

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Over the next few years, he did his research and brought together like-minded Louisvillians who had a desire to serve those at need. The group he put together was impressive: His husband and Chairman of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Louisville, Dr. Shiao Woo; Terri Bass; Susan Yarmuth; Christy Stone; Anne Storey Jones; Madeline Abramson; Brad Savko and Colonel Fred Johnson. “We decided to focus on hunger, homelessness, mental illness and illiteracy,” he says. “But we dove deeper into that as we considered our first steps.

At the time, GMeals was still producing a product that was very healthy and that followed medical guidelines to prevent and reverse chronic illnesses. So, we decided to start with a food program.” The

group considered partnering and possibly fundraising for Meals on Wheels (another nonprofit that was launched in Louisville) but that organization’s government funding created complications. Money contributed by the GFoundation could reduce the federal funding that was earmarked for the charity if it wasn’t spent almost immediately.

“As we were looking into it, we discovered that Meals on Wheels had a waiting list,” says Shaw-Woo. “There were about a hundred seniors at any given time on that list who weren’t getting any help... and they were often medically-fragile seniors who were at risk of becoming malnourished or chronically ill.”

GFoundation had found their niche.

“We thought, ‘Why not serve those on the

The G Foundation G Meals program serves

500 meals per week 2,000 meals per month 80 to 100 senior citizens 240 veterans aged 25 to 59 waiting list until they got into the Meals on Wheels program?’” says Shaw-Woo. “We would be able to give those seniors the meals they needed and it would be a healthy product.” The board set into motion, soliciting donations from corporations like Yum, Republic Bank and Texas Roadhouse, but they also quickly mobilized into a small but efficient volunteer workforce. “This is a working board,” he says. “These members are committed to this cause. They are doing more than making a monthly meeting.”

SERVING SENIORS To achieve their mission of preventing hunger among homebound seniors in Jefferson County and improve their ability to remain in the comfort of their own homes for as long as possible, the board came up with a plan to provide five healthy, fresh, prepared but chilled meals once a week. “We deliver five meals in one day that they can easily heat up in the microwave,” says Shaw-Woo. And when he says “we,” he literally means himself and often members of the board. “I deliver the food every Monday,” he says. It’s an experience that makes the foundation’s purpose extremely personal. “When you deliver, you are visiting people who are really in need,” he says. “You walk into an apartment that might not be in great shape. But they’ll know my name and they’ll say, ‘Hey John, how are you doing? It’s sometimes a little overwhelming for some of the seniors. We have several who are

TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017 53

faces+places partially blind who still live on their own.

They are excited to see you when you walk in.” Shaw-Woo tells the story of one senior who was hospitalized with heart issues.

“Her son called from her bedside to let me know. She grabbed the phone to talk to me. She wanted me to know she’d be back at home next week and was looking forward to our visit.”

The initiative has been successful, not just on an individual level, but on a larger scale. “We started last February and within a couple of months, we had eliminated the waiting list,” he says.

SERVING THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED With the Meals on Wheels waiting list tackled, the Foundation identified its next initiative. “I went back to Louisville Metro and asked community services and asked, ‘What’s another need you have that isn’t being met?’” says Shaw-Woo. “And they told me they’ve been getting a lot of phonecalls from veterans wanting meals who don’t meet the Meals on Wheels criteria.”

These veterans were either under the age of sixty or didn’t meet the medical criteria for Meals on Wheels. Shaw-Woo did his research and found that there were no programs offered by the military locally or nationally that served meals to veterans in need. “Veterans can go to traditional places like a soup kitchen or Dare to Care,” he says, “but there was nothing for veterans who were leaving hospitals or rehab who are financially distressed and need nutritionally-balanced meals for their recovery.”

Having identified this unmet need, the board once again sprung into action— reaching out to veteran organizations and hospitals to spread the word. “We’ve been working hard to get the word out,” he says.

“We are starting to get referrals from case managers at the VA hospitals. But we are still trying to make inroads at the VA hospitals in Lexington, Elizabethtown, Fort Knox and Indiana.” Once the GFoundation receives and verifies referrals, they provide meals for up to four weeks to aid in recovery.

The US Veteran meal program is the first of its kind in the nation— providing veterans ages 25 to 59 with meal assistance.

The meals provided are specially crafted to assist in lowering cholesterol, reducing

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hypertension, promoting healthy weight and preventing and reversing some of the chronic illnesses caused by unhealthy eating practices. The meals—like all of the meals provided by this dedicated group— are healthy, organic and never frozen.

“The meals are traditional, but healthier,” says Shaw-Woo. “So, they may have a turkey burger with baked sweet potato fries instead of regular fries. Or it might be chicken salad made from organic chicken.”

The most challenging part about serving veterans, according to Shaw-Woo, is informing them about their services. “You don’t always know who a veteran is and they are not always identified that way,” he says. (Shaw-Woo himself is a actually a veteran.) Recently, the GFoundation has named a veteran board member as a spokesperson to the military community; Colonel Fred Johnson, is working to connect with veterans groups and those who might need their assistance but not be aware of it.

It’s all part of their ongoing mission to provide healthy meals to members of our community who sometimes slip through the cracks of our city’s existing support systems. The group is committed to continuing their work and expanding the list of those they feed. “We are so young as an organization, but we’re encouraged but what we’ve achieved so far,” says ShawWoo. “We haven’t hired anyone; we do all of the work ourselves and the money we raise goes directly to the actual programs.

Our need now is to continue to raise funds and awareness. We want to create a call to action to bring all veterans together to support this program and help us serve those who’ve served our country.”

IF YOU WANT TO HELP Go to GFoundation.org for more information or to make an on-line contribution.

The group plans frequent fundraisers and updates are posted at Facebook. com/g-foundation.

smile

by Delta Dental

www.DeltaDentalKY.com

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Meet The Media:

Terry Meiners As co-host of Great Day Live and the voice of WHAS for over thirty years, Terry Meiners’s heart belongs to Louisville and the city’s hearts belong to him.

By Christine Fellingham • Photos by Danny Alexander

W

hen I first met Terry Meiners, it wasn’t in a professional setting. At least not for me. I was a fourteen-year-old sophomore at Sacred Heart Academy and he was half of the legendary WLRS morning radio show “Morning Sickness” with Ron Clay. I had been caller nine (I believe?) for a Beatles trivia contest and had answered the question I can no longer recall. But the prize package was The Beatles Blue and Red albums.

I already owned them. And when I mentioned that in a slightly high-maintenance move on my part, Terry didn’t say, “Too bad, kid,” but instead invited me down to the studio to find a suitable substitute prize.

I was so excited during that trip downtown in my mom’s station wagon that you’d think I’d been invited to the Hollywood Bowl, not the humble offices of our local radio station. Once we arrived, Terry insisted that we choose four single albums to replace the two double record sets. I scored Rubber Soul, Revolver, Let it Be and Abby Road in one memorable, adrenaline-fueled afternoon.

My celebrity encounter in the Eighties says a lot about the man who has been a constant, clever, cunning fixture in our city’s media landscape for almost forty years. If it seems random that this specific editor would have such a memorable interaction with this specific subject, I

suspect that it’s not. There have to be hundreds if not thousands of those stories in the hometown Meiners has covered, conquered and chosen to make his audience for life.

“People say phenomenal things to me every day,” he says. “Every time I get out of my car to get gas, someone will walk up to me and say, ‘Do you remember that time...?’ They’ll connect me to something that happened to them. I receive an inordinate amount of attention.” Unlike some members of the media who become jaded or exhausted by the pressures of being perpetually pleasant, Meiners seems genuinely moved by these exchanges. “It’s very rewarding,” he says. “I love people, so it’s been easy. For me, my career is an extension of my personality. I get to be who I am for a living.”

Who Terry Meiners is just happens to be a man who knows how to create memorable and meaningful broadcast moments, interviews and experiences for his audience and subjects. His local broadcast reign began with “Morning Sickness” with Ron Clay on WLRS in 1981, continued with Clay on “The Show with No Name” on WQMF in 1985 and then evolved into the WHAS AM Terry Meiners Show and the cohost spot on WHAS Great Day Live. His radio broadcasts have always effortlessly interwoven satirical characters with pointed interviews and gut-busting laughs. “I’ve

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Meet the Media

broadcast from a building wearing a woman’s bathing suit. I’ve broadcast while skiing down the slopes in Utah, broadcast live from the US Thunderbirds Air Force jets while they were taking off from Louisville International Airport,” says Meiners. “They had me wired up and everyone laughed at me because I had a little freak out… I was saying, ‘We’re going down the runway… and now… we’re… going... straa-a-aight up!”

The sometimes wacky on-air antics belie a workaholic work ethic and obsessive preparation that allow every moment on the air to seem effortless and spontaneous. “I spend at least three hours a day prepping the three hours of radio,” Meiners says. “You’re constantly inhaling information. I read news every night and every morning. You’re collecting information all the time.” He views social media as both a tool and an extension of his job.

“Sometimes I’ll tweet topics the day before to get responses and feedback. It’s easier to retweet and look at my twitter feed,” he says. “I like expressing myself and I make my living off expression so social media is just another form. I love the visual medium and the eclectic avant garde ideas that are interesting to consider.”

If Meiners juggles it all masterfully, it may be because he settled on a career in broadcast at a very young age. He grew up in Germantown going to St. Stephen Martyr, the wisecracking fifth son of a truckdriver and a teacher in a family of fourteen. “I knew what I wanted when I was a little kid,” Meiners says. “I would see the guy on TV talking about the news and

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I would think, ‘I can do that.’ Or I’d hear my dad laugh at the guy on the radio. He loved Bill Bailey. And I’d think, ‘That’s cool.

Maybe I can make my dad laugh.’” His parents loom large in his world view; Meiners credits them not only with fostering both his people skills, but his sense of service and it’s obvious that he has deep respect for the people who raised him and thirteen siblings and welcomed children from St. Joseph’s Orphanage into their home every summer and Christmas.

He shares a story about his father, calling it “one of the great affirmations of my life.” “Often, when you walked into my parents’ house, you would hear Frank Sinatra and smooth jazz and you had to be quiet because it meant dad was sleeping because he had driven a truck all night,” he says. “So, one day, I had just come back to Louisville after working in Lexington briefly and I was filling in and doing occasional commercials for WLRS. I went to my parents’ house and opened the door and what do I hear but Pink Floyd. While he was trying to get some sleep, my dad was listening to the music he hated on the off chance that he would hear his kid on a commercial.”

Talking about the city he cares about to the listeners he cares about has always been more enticing than a bigger market and bigger paycheck. “I’ve had offers,” he says. “I had a flurry of offers from Atlanta, Seattle, Phoenix, Boston… in a seven to eight-year period when I was in my thirties which is when you get those offers. I flew to those places. And I didn’t take any of those jobs. This is my home. I know

It’s been very rewarding. I love people, so it’s been easy. For me, my career is an extension of my personality.

I get to be who I am for a living.

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Meet the Media

Louisville like the back of my hand. It’s in my bone marrow.”

And, quite likely, in the DNA of his two adult sons, Max, 30, a producer at WHAS and Simon, 27, a writer. “They are men of integrity and I am so proud of them,” says Meiners. “They are doing what they can to move society forward. But, you know, the youngest one just texted me yesterday: ‘I have a shirt that needs to be cleaned.’ He wants me to run over to the Highlands and pick it up before I go to the drycleaners.”

It seems likely that Meiners will make

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the trip. “When you become a parent, it’s like a set of antennae click into gear and never go off,” he says. “It’s thirty years later and it’s still always on.” That’s been especially true since Meiners became stepfather to Aidan, 14, and Grace, 12, when he married Mary George (TOPS General Sales Manager) in 2012. “Adding Aidan and Grace to my life has just added another incredible dimension,” he says. (He had just picked up Subway with Aidan before our chat.) “Aidan is fourteen now, so I still have a little bit of time,” he says. “My interaction

with him is limited to when I can pin him down. But when I have him in the car, that’s when I can talk frankly about life and challenges and how to be the best Aidan he can be. Those are the best talks… when we’re riding in the car.”

And he is sentimental about his time with Grace, the first girl in his family. “I remember the first time I babysat her,” he says. “We were dating and Mary had some kind of shoulder surgery and it was Christmastime and it was snowing outside. She was looking out the window and

I picked her up and put her in my coat and put her little hat on and took her outside.

She was just talking about the lights and the decorations and we have been locked into each other ever since.”

Their blended family life is harmonious and there’s a close bond between Simon, Max, Aiden and Grace. “We’re not all together often, but my older boys consider Aiden and Grace their brother and sister,” says Meiners. “They will take them to play laser tag or they’ll come by to visit and do puzzles with Grace.” Or perhaps to play with new “fancy-pants designer dog,” Johnny Fever, three-year-old Golden Doodle. “They all begged me for a dog and, well, we bought this Park Avenue creation that costs as much as a house payment,” he says. It’s important to note that walks with Johnny are a daily ritual for Meiners: “Every day, I come home and walk Johnny Fever and pick up his poop and just laugh at myself.”

But when he really needs to unwind, Meiners either heads to the Parklands or he hits the golf course. “I took up golf twenty years ago,” he says. “That’s where I spend time with my friends.” His friends are a rotating group of twelve that meet at different local courses. “It’s a good four hours of walk and talk,” says Meiners.

“You get to talk to your friends about the important things in life. It’s not all just flipping nonsense. If our kids are having issues, we bounce things off each other.

A buddy’s wife died recently and we were able to talk him through it,” he says. “It’s a support group, but you’re swinging sticks and hitting a ball so it’s okay. It’s group therapy; you can share your whole life and cheer for each other and pull each other out of the challenge. Then you line up some shots. That’s what golf does.”

While Meiners is obviously grateful for every day spent in a career that has spanned four decades and allowed him to become deeply immersed in the civic life of his hometown, he is quick to come up with an answer when asked for his most memorable moment on the job: “It happens every year. It’s the Crusade for Children,” he says. “I come home and tell Mary that it restores my faith in humanity. Twelve years of soaring highs and some painful challenges in life and once a year everybody meets at the community dinner

table and says, ‘Let’s take care of our special needs children,’” he says. “It moves me so much when I hear the firetrucks blaring through the streets and each person donating from different walks of life. Each person setting aside their own struggles and thinking about these kids. Every year, after the Crusade, my batteries are completely recharged and I’m left feeling great about human beings.”

The Crusade isn’t the only charitable endeavor Meiners supports. The man who was raised by parents who emphasized service is involved in The Lawrence Foundation, The Pitrino Foundation, Rick Pitino’s Angel Foundation to name just a few.

“When I first started out, I was hosting every charitable event in Louisville,” he says. “I’ve come to learn I can’t do everything and there are other talented people who can take care of moving a message.

So, now, I tend to get involved with foundations run by people and families I know because it makes sense. I’ve walked into places with a check for $10,000 dollars

from Rick Pitino from his Angel Fund.

There have been times when I have heard about a family being burned out of their house and I can pick up the phone and call Rick…. And I’ve walked up to people without them having any idea where it’s come from and said, ‘Here you go.’”

This ability to do good, to have an impact, to make the city where he grew up a better place, is clearly part of what motivates the man with the microphone whom we all know as Terry and why he belongs in an issue that celebrates what makes this city great. “These are the parts of my life that are incredible,” he says. “Having been fortunate enough to know these people who can raise money and to be able to help disperse it and make a difference. It’s humbling. And it’s about living a life properly. We’re all flawed human beings. But the one thing we can do is be of service. If you are of service at least then when you leave this earth, you’ve contributed some kind of gift that uplifts others.”

TERRY’S

TOP SIX FAVORITE MOMENT OF EACH DAY: The first time someone makes me laugh HOW MANY WHITE CASTLES CAN I EAT: “I will tell you two but it’s really four.”

BEST PLACE TO TURN OFF MY BRAIN: Hiking at The Parklands.

MOST BEAUTIFUL VIEW IN LOUISVILLE: Looking at #12 on Valhalla from the edge of the upper fairway.

BEST DISCOVERY IN LOUISVILLE: biking across the Big Four Bridge into a friendly, clean, wide open Indiana.

GUARANTEED SERENITY MOMENT: Working at a busy event and seeing my gorgeous wife walk in and light up the room.

TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017 61

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MAKING LOUISVILLE G R E AT

r e t a e r G

What makes Louisville great? It’s the home of the greatest two minutes in sports, the greatest single piece of sports equipment, the greatest American liquor, the greatest urban park system, the greatest exurban park system, half of the greatest college basketball rivalry, the greatest little shortstop, the greatest Hunger Games heroine and The Greatest. But you knew that.

What makes it such an exciting place to live and visit is the fact that its attributes don’t end there. This city is on upswing—improving and evolving in many directions that point to a promising future. Steve Kaufman reports.

Louisville is a city on the move!

So proclaimed The Lane Report this summer.

“With nearly 1.5 million residents in the metro area, Louisville is a competitive, inclusive, global city – one that is strategic about growing jobs in the knowledge economy and around innovation. Many cities tout growth and achievement, but Louisville has numbers to back it up.”

The Report continued: “With a focus on IT support and coding, many of Louisville’s companies are rapidly growing. The city continues to lead the way in its long-standing strengths in advanced manufacturing and logistics.”

And our city is dynamic. Louisville is expanding west and east, growing as an arts center and manufacturing hub, providing jobs and healthcare, science and technology. Here are some new reasons to cheer for your home team.

TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017 63

THE WEST SIDE STORY: Urban Revival Portland is one of the most up-and-coming of Louisville neighborhoods.

That statement would only surprise people who don’t know Gill Holland. “Most people have no idea what’s west of Ninth Street,” says Holland who is well-known for redefining the East Market Street district known as NuLu. “I’ve personally given 1,000 tours, and given 10,000 people my slide show.”

There are now a thousand people every week coming west of 9th Street.

And, in some very big news for both Louisville and Lexington, the University of Kentucky School of Architecture will open a satellite campus in Portland this month. It’s true: The Big Blue is coming to Cards country—a surprise move that’s a game-changer for both the state university and the neighborhood where it will reside. According to Mitzi Vernon, UK’s dean of the college of design, discussions about the possibility began last year at a reception in Louisville with Holland and Mayor Fischer.

Four years ago, Holland developed a 10-year, $24 million plan for the neighborhood west of downtown. “We’re getting close to $20 million and we’re only in year four,” Holland says. Holland is trying to fill the empty spaces in the area’s historic old buildings with tech start-ups, non-profits and artists – all the kinds of tenants who don’t want high overhead. “At last count, forty-five artists live or have their studios in Portland,” says Holland. “It has become a cultural center in Louisville in terms of sheer volume.”

Passport says it hopes to begin construction this fall on a headquarters facility for its 500 employees, with hopes to move in late 2019 or early 2020. The second phase will be the Health and Well-Being Campus, to serve the needs of the local community. Community “listening sessions” will be held, both to

But it’s not all small tenants being attracted to Portland.

The University of Louisville recently acquired a building on Rowan and 16th streets for its new Hite Art Institute, home for the school’s new MFA program in studio arts. (See “Show Your Cards” by Kaufman on page 84.) The university’s Brown Forman Visiting Chair Endowment will be used to sponsor a keynote figure for each year of the studio. For this inaugural year, Jeanne Gang and her office, Studio Gang, will be the named recipient.

Future University of Kentucky School of Architecture in Portland.

64 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

Also, Passport Health Plan has announced it will move its corporate headquarters to a 20-acre site at 18th Street and Broadway in West Louisville. It’s the centerpiece of a new Health and Well-Being Campus in the neighborhood.

before update residents on the status of the project and to get their feedback about the kinds of health-and-wellbeing-related services they’d like to see there.

While Holland has also tempted local companies such as Heine Bros. to move there – renovating a century-old building on West Main Street into its corporate office, roastery, warehouse and state-of-the-art training center – he is also attempting a residential renovation. “We’ve already bought and renovated 16 shotguns in the area that had been used for various illicit activities,” he says. “Our goal is to take away the negative ripple effect of the blight, and replace it with a positive ripple effect.”

after

DOWNTOWN IS UP The Louisville Downtown Partnership has projected that Louisville’s downtown residential population is expected to grow by 10 percent. Currently, 4,668 Louisville residents live downtown. The Downtown Partnership expects to add 478 residents in the next two years.

Where will they live? By 2018, the available number of residential units is expected to grow by 27 percent. Currently, there are 2,583 market-rate units downtown. All the current construction, plus recently announced plans, are expected to add 692 new units in the next two years. That will include, already underway, 260 apartment units at Main and Clay; 225 units as part of the Omni Hotel & Residences project; 100 units in the Canopy by Hilton project; and smaller amounts in the Fincastle Building, Ice House Lofts and at 111 Whiskey Row. There are another 12 new units announced for the Lofts on Hancock. “Many citizens, especially younger ones, are looking for neighborhoods where you can walk to shops, restaurants and entertainment, where commutes are short and community is strong,”says Mayor Greg Fischer.“The new vibrancy of downtown Louisville has made this a reality for downtown residents, and we expect living amenities to improve even more with the opening of a market as part of the new Omni Louisville Hotel.”

TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017 65

Norton Commons Master Plan

EASTWARD BOUND: New Urbanism Clear at the other end of Jefferson County, Norton Commons rolls through its 20th year on its way to 2,800 residential units and 10,000 residents over 600 developed acres. It is currently 40 percent completed. Next up is The North Village Town Center, which will stretch into Oldham County, with slightly bigger lots than in its South Village, plus a dedicated retail portion and over a hundred and sixty acres of green and civic space. Norton Commons should be close to complete by the close of the next decade, with an estimated total of 2,800 residential units developed by that point.

66 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

The neighborhood’s landscape of sidewalks, street-front property, intermittent storefronts and integrated green spaces represents what developers are calling “the new urbanism.”

So successful has Norton Commons been in creating an urban feel so far from the urban center that The Congress for the New Urbanism recently announced Louisville as host city for its 2019 international conference.

Another big project in the works on the East End is a 370-unit apartment complex proposed on Tucker Station Road near the Xscape Theatres movie theater and the Main Event entertainment complex in Louisville’s East End. Indianapolis-based Cityscape Residential recently submitted plans to the city for the development, which could cost $50 million and get started later this year. Cityscape Residential also is putting the finishing touches on the 300-unit Axis on Lexington in Louisville now.

Other new projects joining the Project Watch list include an apartment redevelopment in the Highlands, a $20 million office development at Old Brownsboro Crossing and a new office at Commerce Crossings for a company that will bring more than 400 jobs to Louisville.

Byerly Ford

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AN Energized ARTS SCENE Paste Magazine earlier this year named Louisville as one of the “Best Theatre Cities in the U.S.” on a list that also included Chicago, Boston, San Francisco and Minneapolis. (New York did and will always top that list.)

“Louisville has one of the fastest-growing theatre scenes in the country,” the article said, “But it would earn its place on this list if only for the existence of the Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, a 30-show-a-year powerhouse that is also home to a year-round apprentice company as well as the Humana Festival— the premiere new American play festival in the country.” The Kentucky Center just up the street has an almost 35-year history of providing great musical theater, ballet, orchestra and opera performances attended by 500,000 people annually.

Earlier this year, the Louisville Fund for the Arts joined forces with a steering committee from various corners of the community to produce the blueprint for “Imagine Greater Louisville 2020: Arts and Culture Vision to Transform the Region. ”We’re working on an economic impact study with American for Arts,” says Eric Gurevich, director of communications and marketing for the Fund for the Arts. ”In 2016, it has been estimated that the impact of attending arts and culture venues was $326 million. There’s an estimated $25 in ripple spending for each dollar spent on a ticket.”

68 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017 69

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TALKING POINTS FOR TALKING UP LOU Below, some fresh numbers and accolades that give our city civic bragging rights.

AND THE LIVING IS REASONABLE Business developers, prospective employers and chamber of commerce types are always lauding Louisville as a place to live because of its low cost of living. So how low is it?

According to the web site BestPlaces.net, our cost of living is 87.9 on a national average of 100. Housing, in particular, is well below the national average, at 77.

Our cost of living is 9 percent lower than Cincinnati’s, 5 percent lower than Indianapolis, 23 percent lower than Nashville, 44 percent lower than Chicago, 92 percent lower than New York.

According to another web site, Movoto.com, the cost of living index gives Louisville a value of 92, eight points below the national average.

Groceries are four points below the national average, average healthcare costs are 10 points lower, and the cost of housing is 23 points below the national average.

Interestingly enough, the cost of goods and services in Louisville is 2 points above the average. “For example,” says the site, “the cost of a trip to the beauty salon in Louisville averages $35.33, while the cost for this service nationwide averages $34.68.” So, if you’re moving here, it’s probably a good idea to get your hair done before you move.

•

Since 2014, the city has experienced more than $11 billion in investment in infrastructure, project development and distilleries. That includes: —

a $300 million Omni Hotel, and

—

a $200 million expansion of the downtown convention center.

•

Louisville has been chosen as a Google Fiber City.

•

Forbes just recognized Louisville as the number one city in the U.S. for manufacturing.

•

In the summer of 2016, Mayor Fischer was named the most innovative mayor in America by a Politico survey of mayors.

•

ZipRecruiter named Louisville a Top 10 city for jobseekers in 2017, particularly in the industries of automotive, healthcare and retail.

•

NationSwell listed Fischer as a top 5 good governing mayor for his policies and programs to make the city more compassionate, to improve education and to create “good paying” jobs.

•

The city boasts the largest concentration of aging care headquarters in the nation.

•

The Forecastle Festival over a July weekend was “expected to pump close to $20 million into the local economy.”

•

An estimated 6 million visitors attend Louisville’s arts and culture venues – concerts, performances, museums and the like.

•

In 2016, it has been estimated that the impact of attending arts and culture venues was $326 million.

•

The economic ripple effect for each dollar spent on a cultural ticket: $25

•

The Jennifer Lawrence Arts Fund provided nearly $50,000 in matching donations through Fund for the Arts for nine arts-based projects – matching, dollar-fordollar, the money raised through crowdfunding

•

Almost 43 percent of businesses in Louisville have under $500,000 in annual sales, 21 percent have $500,000 to $1 million, and almost 19 percent have $1 million to $2.5 million. (According to Reference USA.)

•

2 million: The number of children who have seen performances at The Kentucky Center.

•

22,000: The number of educators who have been trained by arts education programs at The Kentucky Center.

TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017 71

Keep It Local

S PEC I A L A DV E RTI S I N G SEC TI ON

CHARLIE WILSON’S APPLIANCE, TV AND MATTRESSES If you ask anyone from Kentuckiana what name comes to mind when they think of appliance stores, Charlie Wilson’s is the safest bet for an answer.

Now 91 years of age and in business since 1953, Mr. Wilson is still the driving force behind the store that bares his name. “I love coming in to the store five days a week, and meeting and greeting our customers,” Charlie says proudly, “I am so thankful for the many, many customers that have become friends through the years. They are our best form of advertising. This family-owned company has grown over the years due to our commitment to our customers and community. We promise to work hard to bring you the best for your hard-earned money. Not only do we work here, we live here. It’s important

that we are able to look our neighbors in the eye.”

Charlie believes in honest service, quality products, and your satisfaction.

The store is not only known for customer service, but also the lowest prices. Lower, in fact, than the big box stores. Charlie reveals the secret: “We belong to a buying group that has $14 billion in buying power. In addition, we pride ourselves with having great relationships with the manufacturers.”

Charlie Wilson’s Appliance, TV and Mattresses is dedicated to taking care of their customers before, during, and after the sale. It is located at 1166 East Lewis and Clark Parkway, in Clarksville. It is a true treasure of the area.

Photos by Dick Arnspiger

Bill Etscorn’s Collision Center Bill Etscorn’s Collision Center is a textbook example of a successful, long-running family business. Over 70 years and three generations, Etscorn’s is the name you can trust in automobile collision repair. “What our grandfather started, our father grew, and now we brothers have expanded,” says David Etscorn. He’s the eldest of three including Bryan and Brent, who are twins.

Etscorn’s has a large team of experts working across two convenient locations. The Middletown location specializes in collision repair, and the Bardstown Road handles collisions as well as vehicle repair- they can find the reason things aren’t sounding quite right under your hood, and get your peace of mind back

into place. They specialize in easing minds just as much as removing scrapes, dents, and crunches. ”At Etscorn’s, we think of our customers the same way we think of our family,” the brothers say. “We know how important it is to have our loved ones driving around safely,” Bryan said, “We love providing a hassle free experience, and seeing the expressions on our customers’ faces when they get their vehicles back.”

Check out www.etscorns.com for more info. The Bill Etscorn’s Collision Center locations are at 12111 Shelbyville Road and 3933 Bardstown Road.

Keep It Local

Photo by Cohnrod Zonio

South Central bank South Central Bank’s history dates back to 1889 when Deposit Bank of Monroe County was first chartered. James Kenneth Bale purchased the bank in 1972 and founded South Central Bank to fulfill his dream of providing truly community-centered banking services to the individuals, families and business people of the area. Over the years, South Central Bank has evolved and grown by leaps and bounds, all while maintaining that vision.

The Lexington office of South Central Bank was first a Loan Production Office. It served as a residential and commercial lending office until March 2016. It became a full-service financial institution, offering deposit services and lending opportunities for the people of Lexington.

Brandon Fogle, Chief Business Development Officer for the Northern Regional Market; Kelley Wiley, Branch Manager/Assistant Custom-

er Service Officer and Rebekah Welch, Residential and Commercial Loan Officer are all natives of Lexington. President- Lexington / Fayette County, Bill Feltner, has been lending in Central Kentucky for 40 years.

Philanthropy is a core value of South Central Bank: they are major sponsors of SKyPaC, the Center for Courageous Kids, Kentucky High School Hall of Fame and the Western Kentucky University Scholarship Program. Their employees are also involved with a number of local organizations.

South Central Bank is designed to make a difference in the prosperity of their customers and communities. They believe deeply in their company slogan: “Small enough to know you, BIG enough to help!”

You can visit them at 386 Waller Ave. #110 in Lexington or go to SouthCentralBank.com.

Photos by Dick Arnspiger

South Central bank Since its inception, South Central Bank has grown and thrived through all kinds of market conditions. When it was purchased in 1972, South Central Bank had $10 million in assets and was comprised of five individually chartered banks across South Central and Western Kentucky. On January 1, 2015, South Central Bank became a single entity with 25 locations and total transactional assets approaching $1.3 billion.

The South Central Bank of Louisville is a Loan Production Office, concentrating on and specializing in consumer and commercial lending. Patrick Padden, President – Greater Louisville, join the company in June 2014 and his career in banking spans 25 years, much of it working in commercial and real estate lending. Amy Rausch, a Regional Mort-

gage Lender, has worked in banking for over 30 years. Mark George, Vice President-Senior Relationship Manager of Commercial Lending, has been in banking for over 30 years and specializes in commercial and real estate lending. They are all from Louisville and know the local communities well.

“The city is imbued with great energy and entrepreneurial spirit,” explained Patrick. “One of my greatest accomplishments has been opening the Greater Louisville Market and offering people a community banking alternative that reflects our local people.”

You can visit them at 6500 Glenridge Park Pl. Ste. 11 or go to SouthCentralBank.com.

Keep It Local

Sassy Fox Upscale Consignment We asked Jessica Moreland, owner of Louisville’s Sassy Fox Upscale Consignment, what her shop is all about. The answer is direct and to the point. “ We carry a well-curated selection of ladies boutique and designer name brand clothing and accessories, from casual to formal,” she responded, “We want to enable women to stay fashion forward and stylish without spending a fortune.

It’s also a great way to stay ‘green.’ Recycle and repurpose!”

Jessica’s mother started Sassy Fox in Lexington 25 years ago.

Jessica worked in the shop as a high school and college student, then went on to a career in the natural foods industry. The allure of working in the boutique business pulled her back, and she founded the Louisville version of Sassy Fox. It’s now over 10 years old, and has become a real local staple.

Sassy Fox Upscale Consignment is located at 150 Chenoweth Lane.

Details Furniture Galleries and Design Richard and Lesa Buckler work hard every day to keep Details Furniture Galleries and Design at the vanguard of their industry.

“Details is a full service interior design business, as well as a furniture, kitchen and bath showroom,” says Lesa, “We do everything within the four walls…nothing is too big or too small. We travel the country visiting various markets and vendors scouting new products and special pieces for the showroom and clients.

We take pride in always being on the cutting edge of interior design. Our goal continues to be bringing the best to Louisville.

Richard and I are so proud of our entire team. Christa, Jacqueline, Sherry, and Julie are all amazing, wonderful, kind and caring people. That translates to a happy store, happy clients, and a wonderful experience for everyone who works with Details!”

Details Furniture Galleries and Design is located at 11816 Shelbyville Road.

Photos by Dick Arnspiger

Steadfast Mortgage Company Let’s face it: applying for a mortgage can be a very daunting, nerve-wracking, and time consuming experience. Good thing that Daniel Shults and his company, Steadfast Mortgage Company, is there for you. “We believe Steadfast Mortgage Company is changing the game when it comes to applying for a mortgage,” says Daniel, “we are a consumer first company. The focus is all on the customer, and making their experience obtaining a mortgage a positive one. We value our relationships with real estate agents, builders, and all real estate professionals, but we realize that putting our focus on the consumer first...that’s what is truly important.”

Steadfast has created a four-step secure online application. It’s very simple, yet thorough enough to get the approval process started in ten minutes. Once that’s handled, Daniel and his team put their expertise to work. “I love having the ability to find solutions for customers looking to buy, or even refinance their homes,” Daniel says, “Owning my own company has allowed me to be able to take what I believe in and put it into action. I’m proud to have brought on several great teammates. They have fully given their time, talents, and passion to what we believe in.”

You can visit the office at 6401 Dutchmans Parkway, or just go to www.SteadFastMortgage.com for your mortgage needs.

Individual NMLS: 1024051 Company NMLS: 1325505

Keep It Local

Heartland payment Systems For almost any business today, a plan for handling credit card transactions is an absolute necessity. Heartland Payment Systems, represented locally by John Breen, is the name you can trust with your commerce. “I have been so very fortunate in the last 14 years, getting to work with so many fantastic local entrepreneurs,” John says, “Heartland Payment Systems has provided me an outstanding opportunity, to provide full disclosure of all the fees in the credit card business, and provide a level of support to my clients after the sale that is absolutely second to none.”

John really believes in the company he represents, and it’s easy to see why. Heartland is fully transparent, and they work primarily with small and mid-size businesses.

They founded the Merchant Bill of Rights, designed to create an industry standard that sets clear and straightforward presentation of card processing costs. This helps to enable small business owners who don’t otherwise have the resources of much larger organizations to effectively manage their costs, determine which processor best meets their needs and realize significant savings.

John wants everyone to know what his clients mean to him. “Thank you to all my merchants, present and future,” he said, “I appreciate your business and will always work hard for you.”

You can reach John directly and put his expertise and Heartland’s power to work at John.Breen@e-hps.com

Photos by Dick Arnspiger

JC Nails and Spa Holly and Tuan Pham of JC Nails and Spa knows what sets their business apart. “It’s important for us and our family to provide quality service to our clients and to have people continuously choose our business.” Holly says, “Having a steady clientele that appreciates what we are doing is an indescribable feeling.”

Now in St. Matthews for almost 25 years, JC Nails and Spa is dedicated to creating a warm and welcoming space for their patrons because that inclusive sensibility is key to how they run their business. “We are family-owned and operated. My daughters also work here giving the name of our salon- Juliet and Claudia,” said Holly, “We believe in providing quality work in a friendly atmosphere, all at an affordable

price. It is great to get to catch up with friends for a living! I’ve got a trade that I enjoy and turned it into my own ‘American Dream’.”

JC is about much more than just nails. “We are now offering a wide range of beauty services,” Holly explains, “We feel confident that these services will set us apart from everyone else in St. Matthews. We offer exceptional nail services, a hair salon, waxing, and facial services including microblading, permanent makeup, lash extension, fibroblast, and dermaplane. We look forward to many more wonderful years in St. Matthews!”

JC Nails & Spa is located at 4155 Shelbyville Road.

Keep It Local

JQ Plastics Even though Dr. Juan Quintero of JQ Plastics is the only doctor in his independent business, he has a broad focus on numerous procedures-including Breast and Body Procedures-Mommy Makeover, Breast Enhancement and Lift, Liposuction, Buttock Augmentation, Vaginal Rejuvenation, as well as numerous facial procedures including fillers and injectables.

The doctor credits the people he surrounds himself with for much of his success. “My amazing and dedicated staff treats every patient that comes through the door as if they are family.”

JQ Plastics is very much a fixture of this city. “When I arrived in the city of Louisville, I immediately experienced the connected community. The very first day, as I was setting up my practice, the phone rang.

It was my first client,” the doctor says, smiling proudly, “I realized that I could provide skillful care, due to my extensive training. I am grateful for my loyal patients, and I welcome new ones. I’ll continue to provide excellent care to the community.”

JQ Plastics is located at 127 Fairfax Avenue.

Photos by Dick Arnspiger

Landstar Realty In 2008, Louisville natives, Brad Mohr and Bryan Etscorn formed Landstar Properties, and initially focused on real estate investments.

With fantastic success and a solid partnership came expansion, and Landstar Realty Group was founded in 2011. Today, Landstar Realty Group is a competitive property management and real estate brokerage firm that can handle all of your real estate needs.

“We are one of few companies in town that help real estate investors to find, analyze, and manage properties,” Brad says, “We have a real passion for real estate and investment.” One of their greatest strengths lies in their independence. Bryan states it clearly: “Owning your own business grants you the control you need to be successful. Especially in a big city with a small town feel like Louisville. Property is still affordable, there’s so much potential for housing and investing.”

With Bryan’s networking and business ownership experience, along with Brad’s property management and sales experience, Landstar is on the rise. They’ve grown a great team of agents with diverse knowledge and skills to help you make sound real estate decisions. Whether looking for a new home or office space, or needing assistance with your investment and property management needs, Landstar Realty Group is the choice in Louisville real estate- they even have a great property maintenance crew.

Landstar Realty Group is located at 11418 Main Street. Landstar team pictured below: Brad Mohr, Bryan Etscorn, Michelle Mattingly, Nicole Lockheart, Cindy Hennessey, Aaron Horsley. Agents not pictured include Cory Reis, Carey Mohr, Dick Stith, and Phillip Bendler.

Keep It Local

Cherry House Furniture Cherry House is a Louisville institution. The well tenured furniture store was founded back in 1969 by Shirley Whitehouse, and today its proprietor is her daughter-in-law, Leslie Whitehouse. She is the proud second generation for the store, and is its president. “Shirley was one of the first in the country to display furniture in gallery settings,” says Leslie. Cherry House resides on beautiful grounds with lakes and a campus atmosphere. Inside, the furniture is completely accessorized and lovingly displayed throughout the many showrooms.

It might be a long time to the holiday season in your mind, but it’s never far from Leslie’s. “Shirley had a unique idea to start a Christmas show, and that really draws people from all around the country. It’s been a pleasure to keep the tradition alive. It starts October 1st and continues all the way through to December 31st.”

Cherry House is located at 2419 South Highway 53 in La Grange, and a visit there is a superb treat, any time of the year.

Blu Lifestyle Boutique BLU Lifestyle Boutique is a sassy, edgy, bohemian lifestyle shop, carefully curated with the sophisticated, free-spirited shopper in mind. The store carries some brands that are completely exclusive to BLU, and the whole shop is dedicated to bringing new fashion to the area. The talented stylists are there to make every single customer look their best. You can stop in and get everything you need to look fantastic, from head to toe. They also sell lovely essential oils and clean burn candles, and you can contact them to book your own private party.

Store owner Sherri Hollinsworth took her inspiration from her love of traveling, and all the styles and fashions that she’s encountered. “I was particularly impressed with what I came across in Charleston, South Carolina,” she says, “there’s a strong presence of northern influence, but it’s still this southern town that produces a kind of edgy energy.”

BLU Lifestyle Boutique is located at 12003 Shelbyville Road, Suites #104 and #105.

Photos by Dick Arnspiger

Stella’s Resale Boutique For Lynne Mueller, Stella’s Resale Boutique is not just a shop- it’s the fruition of a special joy that goes all the way back to her childhood. “I was inspired by my grandmother, Stella’s namesake, and by years of playing dress up in her closet.” That early love of clothes and looking great in them has clearly led her to a special place, because Stella’s is a wonder to behold. The store is a lovely upscale women’s consignment shop, with a strong focus on the customer experience, as well as the empowerment of women through dress. Its unique strength lies in that they offer both contemporary and vintage items in an environment more like a boutique than any resale space.

They also donate specifically to very worthy women’s nonprofit groups, such as The Center for Women and Families and Scarlet Hope.

“I love the freedom to curate and create an atmosphere that allows wom-

en to have a positive shopping experience and find a bargain,” Lynne says, “The shop lets me interact with and give back to the community every single day. You know, Louisville is the biggest small town in America. People here still appreciate locally owned businesses. Having the support of this community makes what we do fulfilling and fun. We hope our consignors and customers will continue to choose us for a unique and personal shopping experience, one that they can feel good about in their hearts as well as in their pocketbooks. My proudest moments truly are every time someone walks through our front door. I am humbled by the positive feedback and success of our first year, and there’s so much more to come!”

Stella’s Resale Boutique is located at 401 Wallace Avenue in St. Matthews.

ACADEMIC PRESTIGE University students have earned 109 Fulbright scholarships in the last 14 years. There were five recipients of the prestigious grant for international study in 2017. Last year, there were 15 recipients.

“My life’s goal is becoming an immigration lawyer,” said one of the recipients, Dzemila Bilanovic, a 2016 graduate with a major in anthropology. “I am the child of refugees. I am an immigrant. I carry with me a burden, much like other immigrant children, to succeed. I don’t take that task lightly.”

SHOW YOUR CARDS In the midst of unfolding controversy, writer Steve Kaufman reminds us what the school does for the community beyond those headlines.

It has not been a good year for the University of Louisville.

From the wood-paneled boardroom to the lacquered wood basketball court, there have been reverberations from headline-grabbing scandals. The school has been facing charges of misconduct, funds misappropriation, investment ethics violations, the resignation of president James Ramsey and his chief of staff, the resignation of the foundation’s chief fundraiser, the governor’s abolishing of the board of trustees and being placed on probation by the

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Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

And then there are the NCAA sanctions imposed on Rick Pitino’s program that could cost the team its 2013 national championship.

Through all of this, though, the school itself has kept its head up and its doors open, doing what large educational organizations are expected to do: teach, conduct research and educate, elevate and employ the city around it. And our city is better for it. Here are some of the accomplishments and attributes that happen behind the steady stream of titillating soundbites.

COMMUNITY INTERACTION Levi Beverly, an assistant professor in the university’s School of Medicine, has taken it upon himself to host a monthly “Beer with a Scientist” speaking program to involve interested Louisvillians.

The public is invited to drop into the Against the Grain Brewery and Smokehouse on East Main Street, to have a beer and learn about a wide array of scientific topics.

Over the three years that Beverly has been conducting the program, monthly topics have included the 2017 solar eclipse, artificial intelligence, documenting toxic metals in whales and personalized medicine.

But Beer with a Scientist is by no means the only outreach event the university participates in. (Though probably the only one revolving around barley, malt and hops.)

LGBT Center

RESEARCH The university has been named by The National Academy of Inventors (NAI) and the Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO) as one of the top 100 universities in the world for producing utility patents in the U.S. Among the more recent new patents were: a substitute bone graft material; software to detect areas of depleted lung function during radiation treatment; a synthetic compound aimed at eliminating gum disease; and a combination vaccine—called the hexavalent vaccine combination—that protects children against six diseases (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b and hepatitis B) at once.

The School of Music offers free weekly concerts open to the public.

The school’s Signature Partnership Initiative is a 15-year-old program intended “to enhance the quality of life and economic opportunity for residents of West Louisville. The goal is to work with various community partners to improve the education, health, wellness, and social status of individuals and families who live in our urban core.”

Two federally funded $3.49 million early childhood education projects, directed by a professor of social work and a former school social worker, “aim to put at-risk children on a better path to learning and behaving at school and at home.”

The LGBT Center, run by assistant provost and director Brian Buford, has grown from simply a campus resource for students to become a model in helping the general LGBTQ community in Louisville. In 2015, a Campus Pride Index rated the University of Louisville “one of the 50 most LGBTQ-friendly campuses in the South.”

And several UofL programs, including the Survivors of Torture Recovery Center and the Brandeis Law Human Rights Fellowship, have been active in helping refugees and immigrants.

The Department of Geography and Geosciences even developed an app to help refugees settle in the Louisville area.

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Economic impact Construction projects, both on and off campus, are providing almost a quarter billion dollars worth of work, according to Jim Sears, associate vice president of facilities management. In an article in U of L News, Sears said, “Over the course of construction, there will probably be the better part of 2,000 construction workers and their families [who] will benefit from this building investment. It is a very big deal.”

Even the breakup this year of University of Louisville Hospital and KentuckyOne Health is seen by the university as a win for the community.

In July, the University Medical Center, a nonprofit affiliate of the University of Louisville, took over management of the hospital and the James Graham Brown Cancer Center.

“The dynamic healthcare environment demonstrated that both organizations need to be more nimble to take advantage of the rapid changes,” says Gary Mans, the University Medical Center spokesman. “The new relationship between University Medical Center and University of Louisville will enable each organization to make adjustments more rapidly as both strive to provide the highest quality of care to all the patients we serve.”

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Inside the new Hite Art Institute

Arts and Culture The new Hite Art Institute, planned for a fall 2017 or early 2018 opening in the Portland area, is more than just a home for the school’s new MFA program in studio arts. It’s also part of an overall commitment to diversity by the university, which includes involving itself in the city of Louisville west of the Ninth Street “boundary.”

This commitment will include taking over an old building on Rowan and 16th streets, which Kimberly Kempf-Leonard, dean of the college of arts and sciences, hopes will serve as an anchor to a burgeoning arts scene in that area.

It’s all a good reminder that a large university can continue to function as a cultural and scientific powerhouse, doing good works even when ancillary headlines are proclaiming the worst. 

The 19th century steamer truck factory, most recently a furniture warehouse, has the size and attributes perfect for an art studio: high ceilings, a lot of big windows and big shipping doors for trucking in supplies. “We’ll be able to have 19 or 20 graduate studios, eight faculty studios and five or six work stations for ceramics, printing, sculpture, painting, etc.,” Kempf-Leonard says.

But she says there’s excitement, as well, about the opportunity to help revitalize the area and give the university a home base west of Ninth Street. “We’ll be able to use it for art shows, local community meetings and exhibitions. It will also give the art students an opportunity for outreach at the community’s schools.”

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presented by

faces + places Tops cares faces+places

of their innocence. Summer camp is a way to give that back.”

In its early days, a group of volunteers rallied together to raise funds and provide twenty campers a free sleepaway camp experience (named “Indian Summer Camp”) at Camp Cedarmore in Shelby County.

“From the very beginning, we had doctors and nurses on site,” says Lamkin. “They helped kids take their medicine. They could even give them chemo. The medical staff could handle anything and they made it possible for any child to attend.”

A Vacation From Cancer In a bustling office on Main Street, a tiny nonprofit organization takes on the herculean task of returning joy and innocence to young cancer patients by treating them to the ultimate childhood experience: summer camp.

How the Kids Cancer Alliance is expanding their work to touch more lives, more often.

By Christine Fellingham • Photos Courtesy of KCA

F

un can be the unspoken loss that comes with a pediatric cancer diagnosis. When parents—and children—are coping with treatment, side effects, hair loss, weight loss, school absences, there may be little time to left to think or talk about the seemingly less significant sacrifices like time to play, laugh, swim or take a summer vacation.

Fortunately, there is a local nonprofit organization that thinks about life’s simplest pleasures for them. Kids Cancer Alliance is a small but efficient non-profit that

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began in 1981 as a partnership between Kentucky Cancer Program and a group of volunteers in the Lake Cumberland area and has created one of the largest and longest-running oncology camping programs in the country. “The organization came to be because these people saw a common need: a normal camping experience for kids with cancer,” says acting communications director Lindy Lamkin. “Being a child with cancer can be very isolating. Everything is thrown off. Their normal lives disappear and cancer takes away so much

The medical staff is one of the points of difference that make the KCA program unique. “It gives the parents incredible peace of mind,” says Lamkin. “They feel much more at ease because of these people and the fact that every medical need can be met.” And there are others. While the camp is always free to campers, the KCA also provides other types of financial assistance to the families to make the camp stress-free. “It costs a thousand dollars per child for a week of camp and we never charge a penny,” she says. “But we also help in other ways. If we sense that transportation is going to be an issue, we send gas cards or make arrangements. If a child shows up with one pair of shorts, we will get them clothes. Cancer comes and bills add up. We do everything we can to help make this experience one thing they don’t have to worry about.”

Once the children are on site—now at larger and more modern Camp Horsing Around in Perryville, they can participate in all of the classic summer camp activities. These include those you’d expect like sports, swimming and arts and crafts— as well as some truly unique once-in-a-lifetime rushes like scuba diving in a pool with firefighters, boating and tubing on Taylorsville lake and a huge dance at the end of the week in donated prom dresses and tuxedos.

The campers enjoy all of these experiences with kids like them. “You can take off your wig and not be stared at,“ says Lamkin. “Kids can take off their legs and jump in the pool and nobody cares.” And, because of the medical staff, every camper can participate in every single activity no matter what their physical limitations are. “At Indian Summer Camp, they aren’t cancer patients anymore,” says Lamkin.

presented by

“They’re just kids being kids.”

Not surprisingly, the Indian Summer Camp has grown from 20 to more than 100 a year— prompting a decision to break the camp down into two sessions by age.

The KCA has also added a unique sibling camp to provide support and fun time for those children who are coping with a brother or sister’s illness. This camp in an outgrowth of their official mission “to enhance the quality of life for children with cancer and their families through recreational and support programs.”

While this mission began with a summer camp, it has morphed into a year of programming designed to create happy moments and special memories for those touched by childhood cancer. There are Family Weekend Retreats, a Meals and More family events at area hospitals, Flashes of Hope (a free portrait event), day camps and teen weekends. Says Lamkin, “All of our programs are designed to enhance the quality of life of these children and their families.”

As the program has expanded and evolved, fundraising efforts have increased. Their first fundraiser was held in a volunteer’s backyard, now it’s next month at the downtown Marriott. “Last year, we had 650 guests, this year, we’d welcome more!”

There is still need for silent auction items, ticket purchases and even set-up help. “We are a small staff of five and we definitely depend on volunteers,” says Lamkin. “We have groups that come in on their lunch hour from Humana and other

downtown offices. We have high school and college students who come in to help with paperwork. We’ve even had a preschool group come in to make flower leis for campers. The opportunity exists for individuals of all ages to help. And people do. We have volunteers in our office every day and all of the work they do impacts kids with cancer and their families and improves their lives.”

IF YOU GO:

CONCERT FOR THE CAUSE The KCA fundraiser will be held on August 26, 2017 at The Downtown Marriott at 6 p.m. Tickets are $250 and attire is “country couture.”

Go to kidscanceralliance.org for more information on the event and the organization.

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faces+places

This Family Robinson Lee W. Robinson has built his design business with a solid aesthetic taste and sound business fundamentals.

Now there’s a new Robinson on board.

By Christine Fellingham • Photo by Tim Furlong, Jr.

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L

ee Robinson didn’t have a lot of time to talk.

Tomorrow, he’d be flying to Peoria, Ill., to design the home of the president of the Caterpillar tractor company.

This is the company Robinson keeps. His clientele ranges beyond the best neighborhoods of Louisville, to Palm Beach, Greenwich, Manhattan; the Hamptons.

It all seems serene on the surface. Lee and Babs smiling for the camera at the Speed Ball. But like the duck on the pond, Robinson’s feet are paddling furiously. Always have been.

After an economics management degree from Centre College and 14 years in banking, Robinson retired at 35 “to begin the rest of my life.”

Eventually, he acquired the assets of Scott Tichenor’s design company, and of Ellen Spalding Tate’s design company.

Before long, he was Entrepreneur of the Year on this list, one of the 50 Fastest-Growing Companies on another list, had the largest interior design firm in Louisville on someone else’s list.

Despite his growth, those duck feet were paddling harder than ever. “I was almost always stressed, working nights, never saying no. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you can’t be all things to all people.”

However, he likes that which he can be. “I think we have a unique holistic approach that differentiates us. Also, I have

Doing what, exactly? “I had no clue. All I knew was that I had a passion.”

He moved to New York to learn about his and Babs’ families’ collections of paintings, silver, jewelry and fine art, studying for a summer at Christie’s and at Parson’s School of Design. That fall, a phone call provided his rest-of-my-life answer.

“There was a message on my answering machine from Sarah McNeal Few, saying, ‘I hear you need to buy my company.’ I called her back and ended up buying the assets of her firm.”

Those were big shoes. Sarah Few was a design leader and trend-setter in the Louisville community and a committed, active supporter of the arts. The shoes fit Robinson comfortably.

He also had a vision at that time. In building his own house, he had had such a difficult time dealing with the contractor, and builder, and decorator. “Each of them had a different agenda and different budgets. I said, ‘There has to be an easier way!’ ” The easier way, he decided after buying Few’s company, was to put everything under one roof. One party to deal with. One agenda. One budget.

“So I bought Andy Denzinger’s company, which did both renovation and interior design. That now gave me the ability to get into construction and design.”

I think we have a unique holistic approach that differentiates us. Also, I have this banking background that helps me stay on budget.

this banking background that helps me stay on budget. It gives people a good bit of confidence in dealing with us.”

In 2007, he moved the company to its current location at 211 Clover Lane in St. Matthews. The following year, the recession hit. “We got through it, but it wasn’t easy. You really had to check your sub-contractors to make sure they were paying their bills, and getting their lien releases.”

He also benefited from the diversity of

his offerings.

“If people weren’t spending big money on renovations and remodeling, they’d spend a smaller amount on interior design. So we poured our focus into interior design, and we stayed busy during a time when people weren’t spending $200,000 and $300,000 on a major renovation.”

He also started his proprietary lines of paints and room fragrances. And he modernized into the 21st century by putting a lifestyle test on his web site so people could decide which of the three lifestyles they preferred. “Almost do-it-yourself decorating,” he says. Almost.

He hired a New York publicist and agent, and started doing high-end, high-profile show houses for magazines and getting involved in a lot of Manhattan’s charitable events.

“Going into markets with über highend clients spread our diversification even further, and into new markets.”

All that, he says, “kept us going through the recession. I think a lot of that was attributable to having a business background.”

Many other local design firms, which had been around forever, didn’t survive.

He’s so busy now, post-recession, that he’s forming a separate company – Lee W. Robinson Construction Co. LLC – to handle that growing part of his business. And he’s gearing up for a new growth spurt.

His newest endeavor is bringing in his oldest son, Rodes, who had studied at the New York School of Interior Design and Parsons, “and really wants to start a streetwear company. He trained with Christian Siriano.

“But I said that before he did something like that, it would be good to have some business knowledge. So I told him to come back here and work with us, and learn that.”

Maybe, Robinson mused, his company might have a Thruston Rodes Robinson collection of streetwear to offer as their lifestyle brand evolves.

“You just never know,” says a man who has tried it all.

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COVER STORY:

FOUR INFLUENCERS DARRELL GRIFFITH You may know him as: Dr. Dunkenstein, lead scorer of the 1980 University of Louisville first-ever NCAA championship basketball team, former player for the Utah Jazz, philanthropist businessman who helped found the West End School,, a free private school for boys kindergarten through twelfth grade, owner of Griff’s Sports Bar in Cardinal Town, founder of the Darrell Griffith Foundation and the Darrell Griffith Experience Derby Party and fundraiser.

What is your proudest accomplishment in Louisville?

JK McKNIGHT You may know him as: The founder of Forecastle What is your proudest accomplishment in Louisville?

Contributions my festival has made to countless organizations across the city, as well as the work the Forecastle Foundation has done locally and globally. (The Foundation protects the world’s hotspots by finding projects locally and internationally that align with their goals. Current projects include the Guayaki Foundation in Marrecas, Brazil; the Kentucky Natural Lands Trust in Pine Mountain, KY and the Nature Conservancy in Green River, KY. For more information, go to forecastlefoundation.org.)

How do you think the city of Louisville has played a part in your life and your achievements?

I was inspired by Frederick Law Olmsted and his vision for Louisville parks. That helped me craft a festival that brought the community together in an environment that would inspire. Olmsted was visionary in what he imagined a park could be, and I was hoping to build on that legacy with an event that leveraged the assets he engineered to work with the music being performed.

What makes you proud of your city?

Our community and the fact that people here feel empowered to make a difference in their neighborhood and city.

How do you try to promote a positive image of Louisville through your work?

Via The Forecastle Festival and Forecastle Foundation. The patrons we attract from nearly every state, thousands of cities and a dozen countries, along with all the national publicity we generate. It puts an alluring spotlight on our city.

What is your next project or personal goal?

I have several hundred venture ideas written down and probably more swirling around my subconscious. With time, the best of them will see the light of day.

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Other than being a citizen from Louisville, I would have to say I have two of them: The national championship in 1980 and being a founding member of the West End School. (He also recently made a donation to build the Darrell Griffith Athletic Center at the school. For more information, go to westendschool.org) How do you think Louisville has played a part in your life and your achievements?

For me, the growth I had as someone who was born and raised here.

Seeing the city grow and seeing the needs of the city from a philanthropic standpoint and noticing the giving community that we have.

I paid attention to that as a young kid and that became instilled in me. That we each need to be trying to do our part to uplift other members of our community.

What makes you proudest of your hometown?

What makes me proud is how proud everybody else is. This city is growing by leaps and bounds and watching how it still cares for its citizens and how it’s trying to be a city for all of its people…. It’s inspiring.

What is your next project?

I can give you a little bit of an update on the second Griff’s. It will be a sports café at O’Malley’s Corner (133 W. Liberty St. across from the new Omni Hotel). It’s going to be really nice restaurant with a rooftop garden and private dining for corporate and private functions. I’m looking forward to opening it and I want to say that this will be happening in November- ish.

It’s a theme echoed over and over again in this issue: What makes Louisville great are the people. And the four Louisvillians on our cover represent the dynamic and diverse influences that make our hometown such a vibrant place to live. While their interests are wildly divergent—food, film, music and sports, they have that true-Lou entrepreneurial spirit and desire to inspire and uplift others as they achieve their own dreams.

SOOZIE EASTMAN

DAMARIS PHILLIPS

You may know her as: Executive Director of the Louisville Film Society, Commissioner of the Louisville Film Commission, Co-chair of Unbridled Eve Derby Gala, Director/Producer of Overload: America’s Toxic Love Story

You may know her as: Winner of season nine Food Network Star, former host of Southern at Heart, culinary instructor at JCTC, co-host of Food Network’s new Super Southern Eats with Rutledge Wood.

What is your proudest accomplishment in Louisville?

How do you think the city of Louisville has played a part in your achievements?

I’ve been back now for three years and have truly enjoyed putting on various events for the Louisville Film Society-from our Oscar Watch Party to our annual Flyover Film Festival. But being asked to produce Prince Charles’ visit to our city in 2015 was definitely a highlight-of-a-lifetime. Our team created and managed the day’s programming which included 1,400 people in seven locations over seven hours, all under the watchful eye of international and national security details. It was quite exciting and challenging to pull off.

How do you think the city of Louisville has played a part in your life and your achievements?

The beautiful thing about Louisville is that no one has to be one certain way to be successful, to be happy. When I was growing up, I would see the beautiful patchwork of people across our city. There are artists, factory workers, farmers, executives-- all intermingling, all thriving in the same community.

What makes you proud of your city?

Mayor Greg Fischer. He inspires me with his compassion, his support for our community and the vision he has for us as a city and as individuals, to unite and focus on what brings us closer as a human family versus what divides us.

What would you say are our city’s biggest strengths?

The support that individuals show for one another: After living in Los Angeles, you can get a little jaded and think everyone is out for themselves. Coming home and finding people who want to help one another get ahead and succeed has been mind-blowing.

And, film tax incentives. I owe my move home to this! I just had my first feature film funded when the state passed the incentives in 2015 and it made living in Louisville the reality I never thought I’d have.

What is your next project or personal goal?

I am currently in post production on my first feature-length documentary, Overload: America’s Toxic Love Story which explores whether or not we as individuals have the ability to impact exposure to unregulated toxins in our food and every day personal care products and household cleaners. I can’t wait to finish it and begin the festival circuit.

Louisville is my home. That feeling of belonging to a place and its people connects me to tradition and history. I carry that with me wherever I go and it gives me strength and confidence.

What makes you proud of your city?

I love the Parks! I feel so proud of the abundance of the beautiful, public, green spaces. I love the history and tradition around every corner. I am proud of our public radio stations, the support for the arts, and all of the non-profits that work tirelessly to make this city a better place.

Louisville wouldn’t be Louisville without the people. Kind, creative, hardworking people who smile at you on the street, pitch in when you need a helping hand, and are always ready for a laugh, a new project, a great dinner or a glass of bourbon. There is an ease to the city that allows us to develop not only our work selves, but also allows for developing friendships, community, and passion projects.

This balance of work and play makes for lives that feel well rounded and exciting and creates a city where happiness is present.

How do you try to promote a positive image of Louisville?

No matter where my travels take me, I love to share stories of Louisville and Kentucky with people. You’d be surprised by the stereotypes that still exist about our lovely part of the world and so it is up to all of us to help people see more clearly what this place is all about.

What is your next project or personal goal?

Currently I have “total world domination” slated for my five year plan, but we will just have to see how it goes. (Her new show, Super Southern Eats began airing at the end of last month and her cookbook, Southern Girl Meets Vegetarian Boy (Down Home Classics for Vegetarians and the Meat Eaters Who Love Them) publishes in October.

TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017 93

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CUISINE

Dining: The Brown Hotel Inside Scoop: James Adams Recipe: Seafood Club TOP 5 DINING: Great Tastes

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cuisine

STILL HOT Recently named the Best Hotel in Kentucky by Conde Nast, The Brown Hotel and its vaunted English Grill continue to earn accolades you’d expect from the birthplace of our city’s most iconic dish.

By Nancy Miller • Photos by Jolea Brown

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C

ondé Nast Traveler recently named The Brown Hotel the best hotel in Kentucky. That comes as no surprise to James Adams, the hotel’s executive chef. He took the reins in December for The English Grill, J. Graham’s Café, the Lobby Bar, room service and special events.

Adams is having the ride of his life, and that’s a whopping declaration since his life has been full of accomplishments that win the admiration of novice and seasoned chefs. His mandate to not only retain the lofty position The Brown holds among culinarians but also to magnify the hotel’s presence among a dining public that’s drifting away from fine dining is a formidable one.

“The main topic of conversation among our staff is where we stand in the community. The Brown is very nostalgic and Old World. We know that guests come here because of the luxury and comfort and for our elegant food and service. We don’t want to ruin that. At the same time, we realize the younger generation sometimes has another mindset about dining out.

selection, to include zucchini fritters and his take on Nashville hot chicken. “The Lobby Bar is a weird name. There’s a lot of dining in the Lobby Bar,” he says.

Is the legendary Hot Brown also up for reinvention with the new menu? Adams participates in many Hot Brown competitions where he sees other chefs’ interpretations of the iconic dish. Although he understands the variations, he’s quick to point out that the Brown Hotel’s is the original, the traditional. It’s so popular that visitors go to the hotel to check the Hot Brown off their bucket list. The recipe was passed down to Adams from a previous chef. Only one other person in the kitchen has the recipe.

tables to say hello. That’s fine but I like to actually get to know our customers and talk to them about the food and to educate them about what they’re eating,” he says.

“They’re glad to have a friendly chef who cares about them.”

However, he was inspired by the movie Ratatouille to twist the Hot Brown to accommodate vegetarians. A Portobello mushroom takes the place of turkey and roasted zucchini strips substitute for bacon. He keeps the tomato and Mornay sauce and adds onion and eggplant.

“Being a chef is about so much more than cooking. A lot of chefs stop by guests’

They’re more on-the-go and are looking for a different experience,” he says.

“We’re intent on defining an experience for everyone.”

He and his chefs collaborate on new dishes. One chef will create and one will critique. It’s a process that’s working well as Adams is redesigning menus. For the English Grill, he’s focusing on lighter dishes, believing that a dish such as a filet with bleu cheese and Bordelaise sauce may have outlived its glory days.

“We’re doing some cutting-edge food but we don’t do foam and other kinds of molecular gastronomy. I don’t want to manipulate food so much that people start asking what it is,” says Adams. “Molecular gastronomy is another way to explore, and I appreciate that, but sometimes you just have to wonder about its point.”

He has changed the Lobby Bar menu, which has a similar style of food as the English Grill, but a different

Courtesy Photos • the Brown Hotel

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cuisine

The Inside Scoop with James

Adams

Executive Chef at The Brown Hotel

Why are so many of our most lasting memories of food?

Because the passion that goes into food is so powerful. When I lived in Poland I saw how much attention to detail went into the food and beautifully appointed tables. That’s really true for most of Europe.

I tried to share that with everybody and amplify it after I came back to the United States.

What are some of your fondest memories?

I was awarded the Gold Medal for Excellence by the American Culinary Federation in 1990 for putting on a function at the New Orleans Hilton. Two thousand chefs came for a six-course meal. It was flawless. That’s when I knew I was going somewhere in my career.

When I moved to New Orleans from San Francisco, my hometown, I was part of a group of chefs like Paul Prudhomme, Emeril Lagasse and Susan Spicer. That was wonderful.

My last accomplishment in New Orleans was as opening chef of Harrod’s Casino. I designed the kitchen, developed the menu, hired the staff. I didn’t sleep for six months.

You’ve invited friends to your house for dinner. Give us a hint of what will be on the menu.

Anything on the grill – meats, vegetables, potatoes and pizza flatbreads. I also smoke nuts, but I also do that at The Brown. They’re almost like candy and are so easy to make. Just put some applewood in a pan on the grill, top it with nuts in a perforated pan, and start smoking.

You and Emeril were buddies?

He was my next door neighbor in New Orleans and we did a lot of food shows together. A great guy, very down to earth. He was always curious about what I was doing.

I hope he comes to The Brown one day. I’d serve him something with sorghum and bourbon, probably lamb chops. Or maybe a center-cut pork chop. And, of course, the old number one, a Hot Brown. 

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FINAL WEEKS

MAY THE ODDS BE EVER IN YOUR FAVOR

829 W. MAIN STREET louisville, Kentucky

français très bien manger The philosphy of cooking at 211 Clover Lane is one of simple elegance, and their seasonal menu will conjure up the essence of both French and Italian techniques. The dinner menu is always well balanced, offering selections for meat-lovers, vegetarians, and the health-conscious alike.

Located at the Colony Center in St. Matthews, 211 evokes an atmosphere of the French countryside. The restaurant’s interior is decorated simply with fine French and American antiques, and the soft music and gentle lighting create the perfect atmosphere in which to enjoy wonderful food and company in al fresco dining.

211 Clover Lane Louisville, Kentucky 502.896.9570 211clover.com

cuisine

The English Grill’s Seafood Club We’re not sharing that recipe from The Brown, (you can google it). Instead, here’s a healthy, lighter twist on layered flavors.

Tower of Baked Halibut Filet, Lump Crab and Shrimp Served with Scallion Ginger Relish − 4 slices candied pepper pancetta (baking directions below)

− 16 16/20 size shrimp, peeled and deveined

− 4 3/8” slices vine ripe tomato

− 8 teaspoons butter

− 1 teaspoon garlic, minced, plus 2 teaspoons, minced, additional for molds

− 12 ounces seasoned lump crab meat

− Whole zucchini squash (medium to large), sliced

− 1 ounce fresh ginger

− Micro greens, for garnish

− 1 teaspoon fresh garlic

− 4 prepared servings of your favorite potato or rice

− ½ cup lime juice

− 5 tablespoons olive oil

− 4 whole basil leaves, without stems

− Salt and pepper, to taste

− 4 4-ounce halibut filets

Serves 4

S G R

− 1 cup orange juice − ½ cup fish sauce − ½ cup white sugar − 1 ounce sesame oil − 1 large carrot, julienned − 1 teaspoon shallot, minced − 1 bunch scallions, fine cut − Fresno chile pepper, julienned Mince ginger and garlic and place in small mixing bowl. Add lime juice, orange juice, fish sauce, sugar and sesame oil and whisk all together. In a separate bowl, add carrots, shallots, and scallions. Pour dressing over carrot, shallot, and scallion mixture; refrigerate and set aside.

Preheat oven to 350º. Place pepper pancetta on a baking sheet and bake until cooked with the edges slightly rolled up, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Remove and set aside.

Add 1 teaspoon garlic, 4 tablespoons olive oil and shrimp to a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Butter four 3” molds with 1 teaspoon butter each and place 4 marinated shrimp in the bottom of each in a circular fashion with the curved side of the shrimp facing outward.

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Pack 3 ounces of seasoned jumbo lump crabmeat in each mold with the back of a teaspoon, on top of the shrimp. Place a single slice of 3/8” thick vine ripe tomato into each mold. Place 1 leaf each of fresh basil on top of tomato, with a small slab (1 teaspoon) of whole butter, and a pinch (1/2 teaspoon) of fresh garlic. Next, place a piece of halibut, (cut to fit the mold) inside each of the molds, season with salt and pepper.

in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté zucchini squash slices until transparent.

Season with salt and pepper.

Place molds upside down on a greased sheet tray. Bake for 12 minutes.

Arrange your favorite potato or rice on each plate. Top with micro greens and crispy pancetta bacon slice. Drizzle scallion ginger relish around seafood.

Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil

Remove seafood molds from oven and let stand for 2 minutes. Seafood should be firm. Evenly divide and arrange sautéed zucchini squash on each plate.

Pop out seafood from molds and serve on top of squash with the halibut side down.

LOUISVILLE

4505 Shelbyville Road Suite 100 Louisville, KY 40207 (502) 835-2001 Mon-Fri: 9am-6:30pm Sat: 10am-6:30pm Sun: Closed 17-CB-0198-07131_Brand_8-12x3.indd 1

7/17/17 4:14 PM

cuisine

Great Tastes When your city is known for its thriving restaurant scene, it’s hard to pick five for our “great” issue. Food writer Nancy Miller did by focusing on those that blazed trails and retrained our palates.

LILLY’S BISTRO

K EQUUS AND JACK’S LOUNGE

PROOF ON MAIN

D

ean Corbett’s name rings a loud bell among the culinary Who’s Who around the country. But legions of Equus and Jack’s Lounge devotees claim him as their own. He’s the guy everybody loves to greet and to be greeted by. Even when he’s not at Equus and Jack’s, which isn’t often, his presence is felt in every dish and in every corner. During more than three decades, he has made Equus and Jack’s a cocoon of contemporary American cuisine and gregarious hospitality.

Your credentials as a bona fide Louisvillian, native or transplanted, may be in doubt if you aren’t familiar with Jack’s Signature Nachos. Perfect for sharing, they’re better if you have an order all to yourself.

Rock shrimp Jenkins has secured its place among the city’s most beloved dishes.

The pot roast and fried chicken are what Mom would make if she could wave Corbett’s magic wand over the all-American favorites.

Remember Cheers, television’s fictitious bar “where everyone knows your name?” That’s Equus and Jack’s. Walk in and you might feel you’ve come upon a party for which your invitation was lost in the mail. But it takes only a minute before you’re one of the crowd.

122 Sears Avenue • 502-897-9721 102 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

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amed one of the best hotels in the world, 21c Museum Hotel is a mecca of contemporary art. That sets a high bar for its restaurant, Proof on Main.

Chef Mike Wajda demonstrates that food is art as he wins over discerning food and art cognoscenti. Visiting the art at 21c Museum Hotel is about opening yourself up to new experiences. The same is true with Proof on Main’s menu.

Starting with roasted bones with sea butter and kim chee or a plum pop tart with chicken liver pâté tells you that your meal isn’t going to be like a conversation of idle chit chat. Wajda delivers serious dishes that are talked about before and after they’re eaten.

Cheese and charcuterie tasting platters offer the chance to sample excellent selections that may be off your beaten path. Entrées include mushroom spaghetti, roasted Alaskan halibut with zephyr squash, and Szechuan beans and wild rice paella.

Mingling at the bar is a sport for which no skill is necessary. But you do get points for savvy dressing.

702 W. Main Street • 502-217-6360

athy Cary is the queen of local farm-totable. She’s a chef who mentors budding chefs and who coddles diners with traditional Kentucky cuisine as deftly as she takes them on taste adventures beyond the boundaries of the Bluegrass. As if that weren’t enough, she has cooked with Martha Stewart and lived to tell the tale.

Spearheading the farm-to-table movement came naturally because it epitomizes her philosophy about food and how she has always cooked. When she opened Lilly’s Bistro in 1988, she brought Kentucky farmers and local purveyors along with her.

She serves the best of Kentucky traditions as she teasingly tweaks. A Bibb salad steps out of the ordinary with ham, cheese, candied pecans, sun dried cherries and bourbon maple vinaigrette. Lamb meatballs, coconut fried shrimp and veal scaloppini show off delicious versatility.

Take a bite of lemon pie or a spoonful of bourbon ball ice cream and you’ll want to give her a hug.

Lilly’s menu changes every couple of weeks to feature up-to-the-minute seasonality of area farmers and artisans so that you can cozy into a booth for a dinner à deux or join friends for a celebration of Cary’s singular culinary style.

1147 Bardstown Road • 502-451-0447

BUTCHERTOWN GROCERY Rustic Wood Fired European Cuisine

DECCA

N

uLu is a hot food and art scene. It’s only fitting that Decca is at the epicenter. The restaurant and Annie Pettry, chef and partner, are sizzling. Louisville diners have a love fest going on with Decca, savoring in agreement the raves from Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure and the Wall Street Journal.

The menu resonates with global spanning influences, a foundation of French technique and Pettry’s North Carolina roots. She orchestrates it all with edible charisma and meticulous flair.

Guests were wildly appreciative when she introduced pasta as a middle course, and why not, when that course is ricotta cavatelli with foraged mushrooms or lamb sugo pappardelle? Preceding it is a cornucopia of choices such as duck liver terrine or pan roasted mussels with Madras curry and Brussels sprouts. The menu evolves into main courses like shrimp a la plancha, crispy Texas redfish and “Table” selections that range from wood-grilled beets to caramelized cabbage.

You’re in for sweet endings like buttermilk pie with peaches and buttermilk sherbet or Devil’s food cake with chocolate mousse. Or, there’s an ever-so-tempting Boozy Affogato.

We’re not telling you anything other than it’s slightly boozy amazing.

L

ittle did Hattie Gunkel know that the corner market she ran in the early 1900s would one day be Butchertown Grocery, a neighborhood bistro with a miles-wide fan base and a headlining chef.

After impressively establishing himself at The Oakroom and La Coop, the question that endlessly surfaced among Chef Bobby Benjamin’s followers, was, “What will he do next?” Butchertown Grocery, where he is chef and partner, provides the answer with some glowing expletives.

If you don’t opt for the five-course tasting menu with wine pairings, you’re still in for a Benjaminesque experience. The menu is nicely balanced by appetizers such as pork belly with watermelon and pickles, mushroom-accented gnocchi and beef tartare, while pastas and entrées are highlighted by bucatini, rainbow trout and rack of lamb.

Specials change daily and include bouillabaisse, rotisserie chicken and barrel smoked grits, pork chop with curried sweet potato purée and the Blended Burger Project – dry-aged beef, oyster mushrooms and bacon marmalade.

Lola, the upstairs lounge, is the only place we know where you can top off your day with a bone marrow shot. That’s right.

It’s a shot of your favorite liquor poured into your mouth through a bone.

1076 E. Washington Street • 502-742-8315

812 E. Market Street • 502-749-8128

TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017 103

INTRODUCING

CHEMICAL PEEL This is not your mom’s chemical peel. With the PCA Skin chemical peel there is little-to-no downtime. Walk out the door with a healthy glow.

Exclusively featuring

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DISCLAIMER: *Offer good for first-time guests only. Treatments sessions will vary in length but will always include at least 10 minutes for consultation, which occurs both pre and post service. Prices subject to change. Each Massage Envy location is independently owned and operated.

Check your local franchised location for a list of services and offerings as some locations do not offer certain services/enhancements. Rates and services may vary by location. Additional taxes and fees may apply. Individual results may vary. Chemical Peel treatments are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent diseases, illnesses, imbalances or disorders. Consult your physician/medical advisor as it is your responsibility to determine with your own physician whether these treatments are appropriate for you. These treatments should not be used as a substitute or in place of medical advice from your health professional. Š2017 Massage Envy Franchising, LLC.

LIFE+STYLE

WOW WEdding: Lindsey & Whit Boutique Spotlight: Westport Village Look of the Month: The Romantic Romper

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life+style

WOW WEdding

Lindsey Whit A ND

When wind, rain and unseasonably cold temperatures threatened her outdoor dream wedding, this laidback bride agreed to transport her floral fantasy in the very final hours to the stunning new space at The Speed.

By Christine Fellingham • Photos By Josh Meredith

B

ride-to-be Lindsey Trager was far from the fabled bridezilla. The former coach for the Ballard girls’ field hockey team, she was marrying her college sweetheart, Whit Bradley, a football coach at DuPont Manual and the two were more focused on finding a date that didn’t conflict with school or team schedules than they were on the finer points of their nuptials.

She really had only one firm request: “She knew she wanted to be married outside in a garden and she knew she wanted it to be Yew Dell,” says her mother, Sandra. So she and Lindsey booked Yew Dell before they did anything else— choosing the weekend of Thunder Over Louisville. Once she and her mother agreed on wedding planner Lauren Chitwood, Lindsey left most of the planning in their hands. “She had definite opinions, but she trusted Lauren,” Sandra says.

Lindsey’s relaxed attitude was tested, however, when the week of her wedding arrived along with dire weather forecasts.

“The week of Thunder is always iffy,” says

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life+style

WOW WEdding

Lauren who, as the event planner, was the one charged with formulating contingency plans. “So, we had planned to tent the pavilion. We had flaps we could secure.

We had a solid plan B.” But as the week progressed and the forecast deteriorated, Lauren began to fear that no outdoor plan could be weatherproof enough for the predicted storm-a-gedon.

“We were cautiously observing the changing forecast all week and we started planning more adjustments like creating tented walkways,” says Lauren. “But the trifecta in wedding disaster is cold, wind and rain. You can’t do all three outside. You can handle any one or two, but the three just don’t work.” By Wednesday afternoon, the forecast was becoming increasingly menacing. (“They were talking about ice storms,” says Lauren.) So, the seasoned planner started seriously considering shifting gears and moving Lindsey’s

108 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

garden wedding for 250 guests out of the garden and into…someplace else they could lock down at the last minute.

“So, it’s Wednesday night and the wedding was Saturday,” she says. “I remember calling the project manager and our senior event designer and asking, ‘Am I crazy? I felt like I was being rational, but I had to talk myself through it on multiple levels. We could spend enormous amounts of money trying to secure the location, but we were never going to be able to promise the family that it would be perfect. That night, I went over to Sandra’s house and said, ‘Hear me out.

You can say no and we’ll do whatever we can. But if I step away from being able to promise you that you will look back and say, ‘We had an amazing party,’ I have to start reconsidering the plan.” Sandra listened and agreed. Then they had to call Lindsey. It was now almost midnight.

They reached Lindsey who sounded shocked at first, then asked for a little time. She hung up the phone and called back ten minutes later. “She took a moment and called back and said, ‘Good luck, girl, make it happen,’” says Lauren. “I was in awe that she trusted me so much.” Since she was already working with Wiltshire Pantry and Cafe, the official caterer for The Speed, she called owner Susan Hershberg that night and found that, somehow, miraculously, the newly renovated museum was available. “Their event planner Sterling Franklin was incredible,” says Lauren. “We worked the next forty-eight hours almost nonstop to make it happen.”

So Chitwood and her team went into logistical overdrive. “We kept with the same theme and ideas, but the space had a very different aesthetic,” she says. “So, we did spend a little ore on flowers. We went into our warehouse and found hanging rings

We had two hundred-andfifty guests who were blown away by the beauty of the space and we had what really mattered.

TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017 109

life+style

WOW WEdding

and created a hanging floral canopy that we hung with lanterns.

Two days later, the Speed was transformed, the bride and groom were thrilled and the guests were greeting the planning team with hugs and high-fives.

“It wound up being one of the most complicated, stressful, successful punts of my life,” says Lauren. “But kudos to Lindsey.

Not every client could have ridden that wave.” Sandra feels the same way about Lauren: “I don’t think there are too many

people who could have pulled that off in two days,” she says. “We had two hundred-and-fifty guests and they were all amazed by the beauty of the space. Lindsey and White were married in front of the windows, so it brought the outdoors in. It was a beautiful wedding.” It was also an incredible story—about having a garden wedding in a concrete and glass museum— that the couple, their family and friends will remember for the rest of their lives.

details

Photography: Josh Meredith for Bella Grace Studios Location: The Speed Museum Caterer: Wiltshire Pantry Event Planning and Design: Lauren Chitwood Events Cake: Martine’s Pastries, Lexington Ceremony Music: Louisville Wedding Music Band: The Sultans of Swing Beauty: Carley Randall Beauty Transportation: R & R Limousine Trolley: Miller Transportation

110 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

FEEL

beautiful O N YO U R WEDDING D AY.

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99 + + +

BOARD CERTIFIED PHYSICIANS SPECIALIZING IN WEIGHT LOSS KENTUCKY’S LEADING WEIGHT LOSS PRACTICE SINCE 1999 SAFE, EFFECTIVE, AND AF AFFORDABLE

NEW TO LOUISVILLE! (502) 450-5566

2108 S. Hurstbourne Parkway (Same plaza as Chuck E. Cheese)

TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017 111

life+style

Boutique(s) Spotlight:

The Shops Of Westport Village If you haven’t browsed the cobblestone streets of this idyllic shopping center lately, it’s time. A wave of new shops including Bliss Home; a popular Friday night summer concert series and hopping Happy Hours have made it more than a place to pick up a cute outfit. This quaint retail village is a get-it-all-done destination that should be your new not-so-guilty pleasure.

Photos by David Harrison

Here are just a few of their locally owned shops that can simplify back to school, fall wardrobe replenishing and end of summer scavenging.

APRICOT LANE: A great place to pull together an entire outfit— from funky accessories to dresses, denim, colorful separates and shoes too. There’s plenty of room to wander between racks and plop down in a comfy chair while your friend tries on her eighth outfit.

THIS JUST IN! BLISS HOME IS HERE We have a new destination for décor inspiration and it’s the old Gattiland location. In what has to be one of Louisville’s most amazing transformations, the old entertainment complex is now a brand new, beautiful, mega home store stocked with offbeat accessories and furnishings and an

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endless supply of genius styling inspiration. It’s a must-see for anyone dreaming of refreshing a room. Bliss is the first Louisville location for owners Scott Schimmel and Lisa Sorenson who have built a small furniture empire in Tennessee with four successful stores. “We love being in Louisville,” says Schimmel. “For a city of this size, it’s so friendly. There’s a real community feeling here that you’d expect in a smaller town.”

Schimmel and Sorenson, who now live here part time in a downtown apartment, are immersing themselves in local culture and combing Louisville art and crafts shows to bring local offerings to their eclectic array of home goods. “We always localize each store,” says Schimmel. “We want the Louisville Bliss to look unique to this market.

While you’ll find the same sofas in each store, you’ll also find pieces made just for this city.” The personalized touch extends to their service. The store offers in-home design consultations “whether it’s a room or an entire home,” and the staff does their own deliveries. “We don’t out-source anything,” says Schimmel. “Delivery and set up are part of the overall experience. We make sure every drawer opens and every door closes properly.”

CHATREUSE: This small, light-filled boutique stocks carefully-selected dresses, rompers, pantsuits, separates and stunning statement accessories—all priced to avoid sticker shock. Whether you’re looking for a memorable dress for an event or a cute top for tomorrow night, you can find it fast here.

CLATER: In comfortable, zero-pressure shop (owned by women), you can ask questions about that new diamond you’ve been coveting or your grandmother’s necklace that you’d like to repair without feeling intimidated. And whether you walk out with a thousand dollar ring or a thirty dollar pair of earrings, you’ll know you got a great deal.

COLLECTIONS: If you’re looking for pretty, perfectly-assmbled outfits, this is your spot.

This spacious boutique carries everything from denim to dresses but it’s all arranged

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES AND SIDEWALK SALES The monthly concert series (next up on August 4 and September 8) have become wildly popular outings and excuses to shop, snack and sip. And they’re giving away money! You can win a $500 shopping spree if you show up and shop. For every twenty-five dollars you spend during the concert nights, Westport Village will give you a chance to win a five hundred dollar shopping spree at the September concert. Just have your receipt stamped at their giveaway booth. (And you have to show up in September to win!)

by outfits so shopping is simple. You can sift through, picking coordinating pieces from the racks, then stop at the artfully-arranged accessory table- stocked with stunning, artisan-crafted jewelry-- for finishing touches.

DARLING STATE OF MIND: This cozy, laidback shop makes browsing and buying a blast. With a perfect blend of casual to dressier looks that range from bohemian to preppie, owner Jennifer Harris has brilliantly blended everything you and your friends need to complete a successful shopping mission in five minutes or fifty. Chic but comfy shoes and boots let you pull a look together from head to toe. And if you need it, ask for help. These girls are great stylists.

FRESH BOUTIQUE 4 GIRLS: This is the store that can change shopping for teens and tweens forever. An adorable but fashion

forward array of age appropriate denim, leggings, dresses, jean skirts, sweaters for the adolescent set make finding clothes for that awkward stage actually enjoyable. So does the fact that the selection has been expanded to include lines like Free People for mom and juniors.

TUNIE’S: Whether you’re looking for home décor, a hostess gift, Bed Stu boots or a denim dress, you can find it here. Tunie’s combines wearable, beautiful clothes and fashion with memorable gifts and accent pieces for your home. It’s hard to get in and out in a hurry only because there’s a surprise on every shelf.

NEW! TUNIE’S OUTLET: Fans of Tunie’s or fans of a bargain should hit the new Tunie’s boutique, open the first week of every month, just few doors down from the store. 

Your Destination for Street-Chic Fashion IN THE HEART OF ST. MATTHEWS 3704 Lexington Rd. Louisville, KY 40207 502.654.7337 • livboutiqueonline.com LIVBOUTIQUEKY@GMAIL.COM

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life+style

LOOK OF THE MONTH:

The Romantic Romper

Photo by David Harrison Hair and makeup by San Moreland and Karah Miller at Fusion Salon in Westport Village Model: Asia Warren for Heyman Talent

T

his once-edgy summer option is now a seasonal staple. Soft prints, refined details and fluttery shapes have elevated it to a local wardrobe essential. We found this pretty floral version at Westport Village’s Darling State of Mind boutique. It’s the perfect piece for late-summer outings; add a denim or leather jacket and ankle boots in a few weeks to transition it to fall. (Lovposh romper, $38, and state of Kentucky necklace, $15, at Darling State of Mind.)

Why we love it: 1. It’s more practical than dresses. Even though it’s really feminine, it functions like shorts. You can sit on the grass, bleachers, bicycles, wherever.

2. It creates an hourglass shape.

While baggier rompers tend to flatter only stick figures, this streamlined silhouette—with a defined waist, ruched top and strategically placed cut-out— can magically whittle and amplify at the same time, so it adds curves to slimmer figures and makes curvier shapes look sleek.

3. You can dress it up or down and look effortless either way.

A strappy shoe bootie, good pedicure and shoulder-dusting earrings upgrade the dress code while flat sandals and this Kentucky necklace bring it back down to earth.

Beauty tip: Opting for nearly-naked skin plus long-wearing lip stain adds a little glamour while allowing your complexion to breathe. Lip Sense Color Stain, $25, at Fusion Salon. 

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The Good Life Just Got Better

A not for profit, 501(c)(3) organization 211 West Oak, Louisville | 502.589.3211 | treytonoaktowers.com

Treyton Oak Towers boasts many talented residents, including Louisville native and former Kentucky Opera singer Anne Hayes. In addition to singing, she plays the piano, and paints. “I didn’t know how to paint,” Hayes says, “but I told myself I was going to learn, and so I did.” She grew her talent in Louisville and then later in Naples, FL, as well. Hayes’ work has been displayed across Marco Island and in Naples at the von Liebig Art Center.

Meet our residents...

Anne Hayes

Anne and her husband Albin Hayes married in 1957 and raised 3 children in Louisville, then retired in Florida. After 17 years in Naples, Anne and Albin Hayes returned to Louisville in August of 2015 to call Treyton Oak Towers home. “I’m so thrilled that here we’re so arts oriented,” Hayes says. “I feel so fortunate to be here where there are so many wonderful art pieces—not only the Opera, but the Ballet is represented too.” Especially noteworthy to Hayes is the fact that at the Towers, “they encourage people to paint” and have an artist’s studio on site. Shares Hayes, “It’s a wonderful place to be.”

FAMILY

Super Mom: Helen Wray Parties: Little Guests, Big Fun Pets: It Takes a ‘Ville

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family

supermom:

Helen Wray After the birth of her second baby, this artistic Louisville mom and founder of 502 Rocks decided she could create a community initiative in between diaper changes and feedings. Now she has nearly 4,000 helpers.

By Christine Fellingham • Photos by danny alexander

E

veryone deals with the baby blues differently. Helen Wray, mother of Tynan, 2 and Pierson, 11 months, launched a community initiative that now touches thousands of people all over the city.

It was shortly after the birth of Pierson that she found herself feeling the need to accomplish something outside of her home. “Not that being a mom isn’t joyful and rewarding; it is,” she says. “But I had two babies without a break in between and I felt like I needed to recharge.”

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Inspiration came from friends in her native Seattle. “They had started these groups where they painted rocks and placed them around the city for people to find,” says Helen. “I loved the idea of doing something that could make another person smile. It’s so simple and so positive. I just thought we needed this in Louisville.”

And while she could have easily given herself permission to wait until things settled down at home, Helen decided that she should just move forward. Six months later, 502 Rocks has almost 4,000 members

and has added community events, workshops and fundraising to their efforts. “I could have stressed out over the dishes in the sink or the crumbs on the floor, but instead I made peace with that and took action. Now my house is taken over by rocks and our Facebook page is full of posts from people who found the right rock at the right time. I never thought this would all happen. But I’m so glad it did.”

With a third child on the way, she talks about how and why she makes time for making others happy.

HOW DID YOU TAKE THIS FROM AN IDEA TO AN ORGANIZATION? “The first post I saw about rock groups was from my friend in Seattle who was part of a group called Tacoma Rocks...I joined their Facebook group to see what they were doing and then I basically did the same thing. I created a Facebook group in October and added a small group of friends whom I thought might be interested. It’s a public group so anyone can see it and join it. Random people started asking to join.

So, we planned a painting party in December at Cross Fit Regeneration because my friend Joan owns it and offered their lobby. Soon, we were adding painting events at businesses around town and our members were starting to plan events and parties.

HOW DO YOU FIND TIME TO MANAGE COMMUNICATIONS AND PLAN EVENTS WITH TWO SMALL CHILDREN? We have a really involved group. Our membership is around 4,060 people and I have three other administrators who help me. They are also mothers and we kind of tag team the work.

We have people take up their own causes and go and do their own thing with 502 rocks as their banner. We’re doing more good work in the community if we let everyone run with it.

One member, Peggy, has a son who owns retirement homes.

She wanted to do rock painting with the residents and asked if that would be okay. Well, absolutely. Now one of our administrators, Karen, took up the cause of senior citizens and is doing painting parties with residents of different homes.

WHERE DO YOU PAINT? We have 502 Rocks painting parties at Dee’s, Michael’s and last month at the Buy Local fair. Kids kept coming in all day long to paint rocks! I love it because it’s something families can do together. It’s a great project with younger children and then you can talk to them about placing the rock someplace where someone else will find it and feel good.

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family

This little effort has just grown.

The picture is so much bigger than I thought it would be and the group has done more than I hoped it would do.

WHERE DO YOU PLACE THE ROCKS? We place them all over. Louisville Metro Parks has given us explicit permission to hide in their parks, so we put a lot of them there. I also take mine to Preston Art Center on Gardiner Lane. There’s a swapping station where you can take one, leave one.

HOW HAVE YOU WORKED FUNDRAISING INTO THIS? We’re having our first actual charity fundraiser for the Creasey Mahan nature Preserve on July 16 in Goshen. We’re doing a booth with rock painting and a donations jar at the Family Fun Day at the Preserve itself. They’re building a new playground for the kids, so that’s going to be where our money goes.

WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE TO OTHER MOMS WHO MIGHT WANT TO START A CHARITABLE INITIATIVE? I would say don’t hesitate out of fear.

It’s not necessarily a bad thing if it’s a little scary. Just go for it. People will be drawn to the goodness and they will help. I saw it happen. People like to do good things.

I admit, I was afraid and I even felt a little silly. Here I am, I’m a mother in my late twenties and I’m painting rocks. But I’m having so much fun and bringing so much joy. All of that fear kind of dissipated.

120 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

And this little effort has just grown. The picture is so much bigger than I thought it would be and the group has done more than I hoped it would do. I never thought that it would grow this big. And it’s not about the numbers so much. But the numbers tell me that people are enjoying this

and sharing it with other people which is great. Hearing the personal stories that come out of it—like someone is sick and they found a rock and they were overjoyed.

There are all of these stories or people finding the right rock at the right time. And this is exactly why I’ll keep doing this.

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family

Little Guests, Big Fun We See Super Heroes and Princesses Every Day Pediatric and Family Chiropractic Care

While they plan events of all kinds, Marcella Kragel and Ina Miller, confess that their favorite parties tend to be the ones they plan for children, especially their own.

D

id you know we each have three kids? That makes six between us—between the ages of nine and two, complete with one set of “Irish twins,” and one set of real twins. In between running our business, our households and raising our kids we’re definitely busy. But every once in a while, there’s a perfect storm and we get to do what we love for those little ones we love the most: throw a kid’s birthday party!

In many ways, planning a party for a child is more challenging than planning for an adult. There’s the pressure of bringing to life whatever theme might captivate your child at that particular moment. And you often have to cater to both kids and the parents who accompany them. Kids’ parties are also much faster-paced. There are activities to do, snacks to eat, gifts to unwrap, songs to sing, cake to eat and only a couple of hours to do it all. So why do we love them so much? Because they’re an opportunity to be truly creative. Fortunately, we live in a city full of delicious bakeries, creative businesses and inspiring locations which make it easy to create memorable childhood experiences that are fun for adults as well!

Birthday Party Planning 101 1. Timing is everything

3. Plan for all your guests

Planning food for picky eaters and adults can be tricky. We suggest planning a party in the sweet spot between meal times so guests don’t expect a meal. Nibbles and sweets will hold everyone over, and make planning and clean up much easier. We love Rainbow Blossom Natural Food Market and Paul’s Fruit Market for healthy snacks and platters.

Take parents into consideration with a few thoughtful details. While kids are devouring neon-colored cupcakes, keep a stash of Please and Thank You chocolate chip cookies or the champagne and white tea popsicles from Steel City Pops to pass out to the adults. Don’t forget the savory snacks for adults too. Why not order Green Chili Wontons from Bristol Bar and Grille or Across the Universe platters from Galaxie Bar?

2. Plan, but not too much

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Picking one or two activities is a good idea, but try not to make them too complicated. And be prepared for your plans to go out the window when they decide popping the bubble wrap on a present is infinitely more fun than the scavenger hunt you agonized over. We can always find creative crafts at Dee’s or Preston’s Art Center.

4. Don’t be afraid of a theme.

Your child is not the first to want a Rainbow Dash Disco Dance Party (been there, done that). Pinterest is your friend and will provide you with all the inspiration you need. But, be careful. A theme can take over and soon you’re buying every dinosaur you can find in a 10-mile radius!

Stick with a few well place decorations, and call it a day. Fun decor sources include The Paper Source and World Market.

Location, Location, Location Consider these out-of-the-box destinations •

Local Ice Cream Shop – The Comfy Cow is a delicious choice, and has several options no matter what size party you have in mind.

Both The Comfy Cow and Steel City pops will also “cater” and bring a fully stocked with a helper straight to you.

We also love Homemade Ice Cream and Pie Kitchen and the brand new Louisville Cream.

•

A Neighborhood Park - Willow Park is a personal favorite, complete with picturesque gazebo perfect for a small gathering.

Also consider Hogan’s Fountain Pavilion, The Parklands of Floyd’s Fork or Seneca Park.

•

Is your child involved in a beloved sport? Wherever they train will usually have some options, and your birthday boy/girl will get to share their passion with their friends. We have hosted or attended fun celebrations at Louisville Gymnastics, Mockingbird Valley Sports Complex, All About Kids, and St. Matthews Martial Arts.

•

Giving back while celebrating can be the best present of all.

Check out Side by Side Studio where not only will your child and their guests create masterpieces to take home, but your money will go to support programs that bring art education to children throughout our community.

What about when you are the guest?

We love gathering ideas at friends and families parties as well. When you are a guest, make sure to show your host you care with a thoughtful gift for the birthday girl or boy. Our favorite places to shop are Carmichael’s Kids Bookstore, Playthings Toy Shoppe and Brilliant Sky Toys and Books.

family

Pets

It Takes A ‘Ville

limited, but Director of Operations Thom Ham, Director of Public Relations Angie Fenton, and a Board of six work daily in the service of victims of human cruelty.

Saving desperately abused and neglected animals is the mission of our city’s own Arrow Fund, a nonprofit devoted to providing medical care and forever homes to these deserving victims. Reporter and volunteer Tara Bassett shares their story of hope.

Gratitude was Rebecca’s theme for the day, not only for the progress made by the patients in our arms. She asked me to publicly credit the “angels” of the organization, saying, “Without the team of volunteers we have, from the office staff to the child who sells bracelets and gives The Arrow Fund the proceeds, we couldn’t do the great work we’re doing.”

Photos by Tara Bassett and Betsy Hay

The lack of a facility has painful repercussions, because strict criteria is applied in the vetting process. Dozens of requests for assistance come in every day, each painful to review.

W

“

e’ve got to get these people,” she says with a heavy exhale. “We’ve just got to

in their lives,” she says. “We wrap prayer blankets around them, and we put special stuffed puppies with heartbeats in their beds to soothe them.”

The voice belongs to Rebecca Eaves, the founder, President, and face of a life-saving organization called The Arrow Fund, whose mission is “to provide medical treatment to Kentuckiana animals who have been the victims of torture or extreme forms of abuse and neglect.”

The cases flow in like the tide. The Arrow Fund’s Facebook page is filled with frightening images of true torture, abuse and neglect. Without a permanent facility, they’re dependent upon an intricate volunteer, foster, and adoption system.

Fosters must be capable of caring for special needs patients in their homes, either in recovery or hospice mode. The administrative demand is great and the supply

punish them.”

Rebecca and I have just spent three extraordinary hours at Blue Pearl Specialty Emergency Pet Hospital, holding four damaged little souls and taking photos for this article. These are the worst of the worst possible injuries and none of them is guaranteed another day. The challenges are mighty, but exhaustion is replaced by elation when a pup or kitten shows signs of rallying.

“The things we see are… Every day I say, I can’t be shocked. And it seems like I constantly am,” says Eaves. “We’re at capacity.

We can’t take them in unless we have a foster for them. We’re having to turn down these babies, and it’s killing us.”

In the past seven and a half years, Rebecca has met almost every tragedy that has been walked, wheeled or carried through the doors of Blue Pearl or Metropolitan Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Service. Transports, both on the ground and in the air, bring desperately injured fourlegged patients from all over the state, often triaged and treated en route. “We give them love, sometimes for the first time

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It’s a heartbreaking task taken on by three Board members, including Rebecca, who decide which four or five will be the beneficiaries of the finest medical care available. Kathryn Callahan is the Kentucky State Director of the Humane Society of the United States, a lobbyist and advocate. “The lack of a true “home” is a big disadvantage,” Callahan explains. “The Arrow Fund is the go-to organization for the type of injuries other organizations can’t handle. A physical facility would give them the opportunity to help more animals for year to come.”

Athena

Pemberley

Pippa

Athena is a 12-week-old, eight-pound terrier pup found on the side of the road, with massive, deep wounds to her back, full of infestations. State-of-the-art bandages have helped her recovery, and hopefully Athena will be in foster soon.

Pemberly, a brindle boxer mix, was removed from her home as a case of extreme neglect.

She had an extremely distended abdomen, and nine liters of fluid were drained from her little belly. Pemberly underwent recent heart surgery at Ohio State University.

Pippa is a young Greyhound mix, heartworm positive. Weighing only 25 pounds, she has a body scale of one out of nine. A car likely dragged Pippa, causing multiple wounds to her neck, chest and underbelly, and she lost her left front leg from the trauma.

Melvin

Adopted! Bacchus

Adopted! Clooney

Melvin was found emaciated and living in horrific conditions in Elizabethtown with 30 other dogs, many of whom didn’t survive. Melvin has diabetes, and is now under the care of The Arrow Fund. He is already healing and experiencing love before being placed up for adoption.

Bacchus arrived at The Arrow Fund with severe injuries to his hips and back legs, likely a result of being hit by a car. Vets estimated that Bacchus lived with those injuries for 3-4 weeks prior to his rescue. Today, he has two fur-brothers along with two human brothers, and he is just as active and capable as any other dog.

Clooney-- who was emaciated and heartworm positive on intake-- has officially been adopted by a wonderful couple. Thank you to Sara and Karl for choosing to rescue. Clooney also has a new sister, Reece. Clooney is on the right with his little head cocked.

Kentucky is at the bottom of the barrel yes, 50th in the U.S. – in animal protection laws. At the beginning of each legislative session, Rebecca and a busload of supporters (including this writer) descend on Frankfort with hundreds of like-minded citizens for Humane Lobby Day. We make the day trip to remind elected representatives that we expect significant positive changes in the law.

they grow stronger, and an adoption center where potential parents can meet their future family members.”

Rebecca walks with them through it all, right to the bitter end. Her gentle words bring tears to my eyes. As they’re making their transition, she whispers, “You are loved, you are safe, and no one will ever hurt you again.”

Rebecca Eaves has a vision for the brick and mortar building, once it appears.

“We’ll be able to handle numerous special needs animals. We’ll have a vet on site 24/7 and staff around the clock.” She looks away, awash in the emotions of a dream she hopes will be realized, and soon.

“There will be space for training and education, room to give the dogs exercise as

Clooney is one of the lucky ones who has gone to his “fur-ever” home. Those who are not so lucky will be gently escorted across the “Rainbow Bridge,” an homage to death employed to ease the pain of a pet’s loss.

To learn more about The Arrow Fund and help them to achieve their goals, go to Facebook.com/ TheArrowFund or email info@thearrowfund.org 

by Tara Bassett

Tara Bassett is host of “Puppy Pack Adventures” podcast and “Take it from Tara,” Monday and Wednesday from 4-6 PM. “Waggin’ Wednesday” airs in the first hour of her show on... well, Wednesday! It’s all on WCHQ 100.9 FM, Crescent Hill radio.

TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017 125

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ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT

All that (louisville) jazz Lights...Camera...Louisville!

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arts+entertainment

All That (Louisville) Jazz A new downtown jazz club promises to keep the Louisville music scene swinging. Rocko Jerome checks it out.

J

azz is one of America’s greatest gifts to the world. It’s timeless, elegant, classic, multi-faceted and the absolute height of cool. And, for the first time in a long time, Louisville is about to have a club fully devoted to it. In true speakeasy style, Jimmy Can’t Dance will reside in the basement of Another Place Sandwich Shop at 119 South 7th Street, just across from 21c. It will be swinging four nights weekly.

The project is the brainchild of Dennie Humphrey, far left, the man who ran the beloved and dearly departed Monkey Wrench club, and Brian Goodwin, right, owner and operator of the aforementioned Another Place Sandwich Shop.

Trumpet maestro Miles Davis famously eschewed the label “Jazz” in favor of “Social Music,” and this new spot will be designed as a warm, ingratiating, fully social experience.

“In the long term, I would love to see JCD establish itself in the regional/national Jazz scene,” Goodwin says, “I wish that more people understood that Jazz is not always ‘elevator music.’ A lot of Jazz is really wild. At Jimmy Can’t Dance, people can expect a new experience in a good atmosphere at a reasonable price. I want this to be a place that people love to watch music— satisfying the aficionados and welcoming the newcomers.”

And maybe even more so, Goodwin wants it to be a place where people love to play music. “I want it to be a musicians’ spot, where people finish playing and think, ‘Hell yes, I want to play there again!’

I want it to be a place where you never know who might show up on stage.”

128 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

Louisville school of Jazz, WFPK, and the Louisville Orchestra. “We have also developed a very cool, collaborative setup that allows some of Louisville’s finest Jazz musicians to be part of booking process,” explains Goodwin. “The hope is that it really starts to build a community and place everyone can feel at home. “

Goodwin loves the idea of exposing a new audience to the very unique experience of live jazz. “It’s very intimate,” he says. “Everyone on stage is relying on each other. I really love live music in general, but watching jazz has an element of excitement that is its own. Seeing musicians of that caliber making and adapting to changes as a group is incredible.” For programming, Jimmy Can’t Dance will be collaborating with the University of

Humphrey has his ears wide open for that wild sound, “We are definitely going to put a New Orleans twist in the mix,” he says, “a bit more up-beat and funky on the weekends, ’LouOrleans’ if you will. Louisville has had its share of great jazz and it just seems fitting to lean in that direction.” Another exciting idea: The pair are planning a monthly Swing Night with Billy Goat Strut Revue. This recurring event will include live swing music (with some optional quick swing dance lessons beforehand) and a DJ closer. “People coming out will be encouraged to get into the mindset and fashion,” says Goodwin.

So how about that offbeat name, Jimmy Can’t Dance? The answer is quite personal

to Goodwin. “I had recently taken on the Sandwich Shop after my Dad’s passing in 2015,” he says. “His name was Jimmy. (See inset photo.) What an incredible guy. He lived for the progress and development of Louisville . He truly believed in the city. He worked extremely hard in the real estate community and made some friends and some enemies along the way. But I think even his enemies would probably tell you that he was a stand-up dude at the end of the day.” According to Goodwin, he gets his ‘work hard, play hard’ philosophy from him. “He passed down a lot of life lessons that I brushed off at the time,” he says, “but, looking back, I think he had a lot of things figured out.”

After Goodwin inherited Another Place, he began thinking about ways to maximize the potential of the space. “My fiancée, Lauren, and I were living in New York at the time, and we noticed that a lot of the Jazz clubs were reminiscent of the basement at the shop,” he says. “That was the beginning of the dream.” The pair then moved to Austin, where they noticed most spaces took advantage of vertical integration and the idea started coming together. “Once Dennie got on board, it was a done deal,” he says. “Mostly, I think Louisville is a super cool, quickly-growing city and the timing is right to be able to support something like this.”

What would Jimmy think about the opening of the club that bears his name? Brian reflects, and says “I think my dad would be happy about the opening of Jimmy Can’t Dance. He would probably say something like ‘I can dance, I just choose not to.’”

Jimmy Can’t Dance is scheduled to open August 19. Check JimmyCantDance.com for more details and updates.

Derby City Jazz Festival 2017 If easy-going, smooth jazz is your thing, be sure to make your way over to Churchill Downs on August 11th and 12th for the Derby City Jazz Festival. Maysa, Bob Baldwin, Lao Tizer, Nick Colionne, Marion Meadows, Kayla Waters, Matt Marshak and many more will be performing in a relaxing, but very festive environment.

This is the second year for this event, and at the rate it’s going and growing, it will surely soon be a major destination point for the nation’s smooth jazz fans. For more information, check out www.derbycityjazzfest.com .

TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017 129

arts+entertainment

Lights…

Camera…

Louisville!

The Ninth annual Flyover Film Festival is now becoming an anticipated tradition that celebrates and connects a growing network of local film talent and film enthusiasts.

By Christine Fellingham

O

ur city is synonymous with bourbon. And baseball. And bluegrass. But filmmaking… not historically. But that’s changing. The record attendance at last month’s week-long annual Flyover Film Festival, organized by the Louisville Film Society and spearheaded by executive director (and August TOPS cover woman) Soozie Eastman, is an indication that, first, Louisvillians are producing enough full length films to fill up six solid nights of screenings and, secondly, that we have enough serious film lovers enthused about art films, documentaries and even slashers to fill packed houses at the Speed Cinema and Kentucky Center Bomhard Theater.

“There has been a significant uptick in productions in our state since the passage of increased film tax incentives just two years ago,” says Eastman. “These films have gone on to have their world premieres at top-tier fests including Sundance, SXSW, Los Angeles and Tribeca. LFS is fortunate that we have relationships with many filmmakers from their production’s inception and we are able to curate

130 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

YOU DON’T HAVE TO TAKE A NUMBER EVER AGAIN the local premieres of these incredible films, bringing an exclusive screening opportunity to Louisvillians for brand new movies that might not be in theaters for a while as they travel the festival circuit.” It’s a bonanza that underscores more good news for our community: The festival is thriving because local filmmaking is thriving.

“The Kentucky Film Commission has had tremendous success in generating filmmaking business in the city and state,” says Heyman Talent Agency Director Kathy Campbell. “In the past few years, our local film work has exploded. We’ve cast hundreds of extras, cameos and a handful of lead roles. And the requests keep coming in.”

Our local festival not only is a vehicle for sharing that work with local audience and family members, but it’s a way to continue the interest and fuel this growth. “This year’s film festival attendees or student volunteers can be our future film producers, screenwriters and directors,” says Eastman. The festival is about sharing that dream. And while it may never be the next Sundance or Cannes, Eastman is quick to say it doesn’t have to be. “A Louisville festival, like our Louisville film community is unique,” she says. “We are forging our own path and we’re not trying to imitate any other cities.”

3

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TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017 131

COMMUNITY

A Great Rivalry Advice from two mid-life crisis males

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community

A Great Rivalry Could the red and blue lines that divide us also draw us together?

Sports columnist and radio host Drew Deener begrudgingly contemplates.

T

he assignment for this issue comes in. And it’s: “How does the UK-U of L rivalry make this city great?” My first thought was that I’m not sure that it does. That in this world of twitter, team-centric blogs, team-centric websites, and team-centric radio shows (I’ll plead guilty on that one), this rivalry has actually gotten so ugly that it may actually be making things worse.

I even posed this question to my radio show host on Tuesdays, Billy Reed. For the uninitiated, Billy was probably the most influential member of the media in the early Eighties when the basketball series between the Cats and the Cards was dormant. He wrote column after column applying pressure on UK and Joe B. Hall who were resistant to the idea of a UK/ U of L annual series. And even Billy wondered if the ugliness that exists today could be making this rivalry a negative.

We took a few calls on this topic and no argument anyone was making had really swayed me. Then I got a text from my fellow class of ’91 grad of Saint Xavier, Jeremiah Byrne. By the way, he’s a huge Cats fan and listens to my show which tends to lean pro-U of L. It read “The rivalry is great. It forges friendships. Some of my closest friendships were formed around sports and this rivalry. Go Cats. Cards suck!”

Photo by Dr. Mike Huang

rivalry definitely forges relationships.

One of my first sports memories is being in Knoxville with my Dad and basically our entire small extended family in 1983 for the original Dream Game. Somehow, in a game that had to be one of the toughest tickets ever to get, my Dad had gotten 8-10 tickets. I sat a few rows from then-governor, John Y. Brown, and his half-blue, half-red jacket. Whatever my Dad spent on those tickets was worth every penny because I have never forgotten it until this day.

That text did two things. 1) It sparked my memory 2) It was good natured rivalry ribbing with no malice.

Every person reading has a story from a road trip, or family get-together that has been centered around a UK versus U of L game. My guess is that you’ve had a heated argument around the holidays (perhaps after a cocktail or two) about the rivalry, and who has bragging rights that year.

It sparked my memory because the

And while things can get ugly sometimes

134 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

— especially in the social media world, I do believe the net result of this rivalry does make this city great. Arguing about it makes family members talk to one another. A great game on the road can reunite old friends to meet up together. Tailgating for a game can mean hours of comradery that can’t be replicated elsewhere.

So, don’t take that post-game text too seriously. Plan a trip to a game. And, oh yeah, if you see my friend Jeremiah, remind him that U of L beat UK 73-70 in this year’s game.

by drew Deener Vice President/Talk Show Host ESPN 680 /93.9 The Ville

Advice From Two Mid-Life Crisis Males This month, Tony and Dwight take a break from solving your problems to have a semi-civil civic debate on the meritorious qualities of our metropolis.

TONY: Green chili wontons. I don’t know why this popped into my head the second I started thinking about what I like about Louisville. The Bristol’s famous appetizer has a spell on me.

DWIGHT: Green Chili Wontons are wonderful, Vanetti, but let’s be real. They are WAY TOO SMALL for me and whenever I visit The Bristol my wife is usually with me and insists that I share which usually causes me to silently cuss her out. Until The Bristol takes me up on my idea and creates a Green Chili Wonton as big as my head (patent pending Dwight Witten Inc.), it’s a Mama Bearnos Pizza for me, my friend. A Louisville-style pizza big enough to share with my wife without secretly hating her.

TONY: Slugger Field is the single biggest influence in downtown Louisville life in our history. Before the Louisville Bats moved from the Fairgrounds, our downtown barely had a pulse. Slugger Field forced people to venture past East Jefferson after 5 p.m. Get the fried bologna sandwich and wash it down with a beer… enjoy the game.

DWIGHT: AGREED!!! What is more fun than Bats baseball, beer and fried bologna?

NOTHING… well, except for the priceless look I get from a child whenever they see a foul ball coming their way. The way their faces light up with the excitement and anticipation of not knowing if they will be able to snag the treasured pop foul

ball from the air with their sweet little league baseball mitt that they sat patiently with all night-- only to have me tower over them and snag it out of the air, bare-handed, right before their eyes and celebrate with my friends in front of them.

TONY: The sunny side of Louisville… Indiana. Yes, our friends just across the bridge in Jeffersonville, New Albany and Clarksville. I used to make Hoosier jokes growing up but realized the joke is on me. They have better schools, lower taxes and Huber Farms, enough said.

DWIGHT: My favorite thing to come out of Indiana would have to be 65 South.

TONY: Cards and Cats, wow, its inescapable. You have had to endure fans on either side constantly one-upping each other. You have had that teacher or boss who has way too much school gear in their office or classroom. You have that relative you only see on the holidays walk into the

room and drop a slight to your side. There will be peace in the Middle East before we figure this thing out.

DWIGHT: I agree, Tony! Nothing is more exciting to me than college sports! Especially my FAVORITE TEAM… The Louisville Wildcats.

TONY: My great grandparents came from Italy and were married at Ellis Island in 1909 and decided to settle in Louisville in 1910. I’m sure glad they did.

DWIGHT: My grandparents detained your grandparents upon their arrival and questioned them, screened them then eventually collected the fee from them to process their proper paperwork. They didn’t actually work for the government, but they loved hanging around the dock and ripping off unexpected Italian tourists.

TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017 135

photos

Beers and Brats on Baxter Eyedia | July 23 | familyscholarhouse.org | Photos by Anissa Pate

Julia Stough, Adair Neff and Katie Bracket

Sally and Cory Durrett

Georgette Brackett and Joy Williams

136 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

PLANNING A SPECIAL CELEBRATION... more photos online!

Topslouisville.com

Misha Meinhold and Connie Roitman

Beverly and Cordell Lawrence

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photos

Homearama Poplar Woods | July 21 | bialouisville.com | Photos by Dick Arnspiger

Penny Goddin, Vickie Oliver and Michelle Uhl

more photos online!

Topslouisville.com

Sarah Purdy, Christine Zebarth, Holly Gibb and Elaine Keys

Chris Glazier and Abby Blandford

Kathy Hoffman, Paige Sager, Shauna Lueken, Leslie Haefling, Stephanie Pierce and Katie Kuiper

Koree Boyd and Michael Roadhouse

138 TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017

Toni Newton and Pam Leezer

Abby Pforr, Julia Timmering and Mary Kate Baron

photos

more photos online!

Topslouisville.com

FLYOVER FILM FESTIVAL Kentucky Center & 21c | July 23 | louisvillefilmsociety.org | Photos by Dick Arnspiger

Madi Doolittle and CJ Rush

Soozie Eastman, Rebecca Green, Vincent Grashaw, Arman Darbo and Laura D. Smith

Tanya Trammell, Eve Witt and Heather Vaughan

Dallas Edwards and Arman Darbo

David Ireland and Laura D. Smith

Dr. Nathan Meyer, Rebecca Green, Vincent Grashaw, Arman Darbo, Laura D. Smith and Kaveh Zamanian

Dr. Nathan Meyer and Dr. Jai Wilson

TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017 139

photos

Westport Village Summer Concert Series Westport Village | July 21 | westportvillage.com | Photos by Shannon Barton

Tina Powell, Michelle Jimenez and Fred Dolt

Mike Duck, Bill Seymour and Ken Brown

Kayla Sherfe and Sofie Motta

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Shelby Meredith

more photos online!

Topslouisville.com

Lisa and Paul Tuell

Lisa Sorensen, Oliver Schimmel and Scott Schimmel

Alex Raver, Tammie Baer and Joann Mattingly

photos

more photos online!

Topslouisville.com

Soozie Eastman and Andrea Ahl

Forecastle Festival Waterfront Park | July 14-16 | forecastlefestival.com | Photos by Dick Arnspiger

Miranda Popp, Andrea Ahl and Tyler Ahl

Judah & The Lion Betha Godshal and Alex Morgan

Kathlene Denhard and Brittany Strong

Spencer Holden, Devon Iler and Heather Nobbe

TOPS LOUISVILLE | August 2017 141

TOPS calendar what to do in lou

August/Sept events THROUGH AUGUST 13

THROUGH OCTOBER 14

Kentucky Shakespeare Festival

Gordon Parks—Southern Accent: Seeking the American South in Contemporary Art

C. Douglas Ramey Amphitheater in Central Park kyshakespeare.com Performed in Central Park, the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival exposes audiences to both Shakespeare classics and hidden gems. This summer, the company performs Much Ado About Nothing, Julius Caesar and Richard II on a rotating basis.

THROUGH SEPTEMBER 10

The Hunger Games: The Exhibition

Frazier History Museum fraziermuseum.org The Hunger Games: The Exhibition invites visitors to explore Panem, the world created by author Suzanne Collins, as seen in the popular film series. Visitors can see over one 1000 props and costumes used in the film, explore detailed interactive exhibits and walk through exact set recreations that span seven galleries. The main attractions included Katniss’ Girl on Fire dress, the Mockingjay dress and the Mockingjay armor. Tickets are on sale starting at $26, with a discounted four-pack available for $90.

THROUGH SEPTEMBER 24

Butterflies n’ Blooms

The Louisville Zoo Louisvillezoo.org Explore the zoo’s new 1000 square feet flight house, filled with hundreds of native butterflies.

With 12 species of butterfly present in the flight house, see how many you can identify. If you are lucky, you might even get to see a butterfly emerge from its chrysalis.

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Speed Art Museum speedmuseum.org Come visit the first contemporary art exhibit to explore the complex landscape of the American South through literature, cuisine, music and more. The exhibition focuses on artwork within the past three decades but also includes work from the Civil Rights Era. 60 artists are represented, along with a music-listening library.

THROUGH NOVEMBER 17

Fri-Sci Cinema

Kentucky Science Center kysciencecenter.org/movies/summer-movie-series AUGUST 4

WESTPORT VILLAGE SUNSET CONCERT SERIES: KUDMANI/FAMILY SCHOLAR HOUSE BACKPACK DRIVE

Westport Village westportvillage.com Join Westport Village for our back-to-school celebration featuring Kudmani. Family Scholar House will be holding their annual backpack drive to help send their 215 families back to school with everything they need. Attendees are encouraged to bring backpacks, pens, pencils and other school supplies. Everyone who donates will be entered into a drawing for a giveaway the night of the concert.

AUGUST 4–13

“The Wedding Singer” Presented by Acting Against Cancer

The Henry Clay Theatre Actingagainstcancer.com Based on the classic Adam Sandler film of the same name, "The Wedding Singer" follows the geeky but lovable Robbie Hart, the frontman of an in-demand wedding band in 1986 New Jersey. Lately, Robbie hasn't been too lucky in his own love life, but when he fatefully meets waitress Julia who's engaged to Wall Street jerk Glen, his hopeless romantic heart is set aflame in the most hysterical of ways.

Community · Arts · Benefit · family · music

AUGUST 5

ST. MATTHEWS STREET FESTIVAL

Frankfort Avenue Stmatthewsstreetfestival.com Frankfort Avenue between Lexington Road and Bauer Avenue will be transformed into one of the best street festivals in Louisville! You’ll find bands, food, vendors, and activities for both adults and children. Family fun and activities include the free Kids Zone, Fun Zone and Wellness Fair.

AUGUST 6

JAMES TAYLOR HIS ALL-STAR BAND

KFC Yum! Center kfcyumcenter.com/events/detail/james-taylorhis-all-star-band

AUGUST 11

FOXHOLLOW FARM SUNSET CONCERT SERIES: BROOKS RITTER WITH ANDREW HIBBARD

Foxhollow Farm facebook.com/events/1124381851018468/ Join Foxhollow Farm in Crestwood for the Sunset Concert Series. Each second Friday, from May to September, they open their farm to friends and neighbors to enjoy music, local food and drinks and good company. This event is family friendly and fun for all ages.

AUGUST 12

MUSIC BY THE WATER at NORTON COMMONS

Norton Commons Norton Commons, the growing new urbanist community in Prospect, will host its third annual free summer concert series “Music by the Water” on August 12. Residents and non-residents alike are invited to the idyllic lakefront amphitheater.

Concert attendees may bring their own food, or purchase food and beverages from local food trucks on site. Parking is available at the Town Center.

Want to see your event in TOPS? Submit your event online at topslouisville.com

AUGUST 17

RYE BACK PORCH SESSIONS: SMALL TIME NAPOLEON

RYE backporchsessions.com The Rye Back Porch Sessions will be focusing on arts in the community heading into their 6th year for the series, presented by Heaven Hill brands and sponsored by Evan Williams, Lunazul, and Rhinegeist. Food and Drink at 5 p.m. Music at 7 p.m.

Main Street Association’s Summer Happy Hour Series: Underground

Morton’s The Steakhouse This summer MSA is taking it UNDERGROUND for their Happy Hour Series featuring cocktail specials and complimentary appetizers, plus other surprises, at FIVE of the coolest (literally, because it's inside in the summer) underground venues on Main Street. The events are free to attend, but please RSVP in advance, since space is limited at some (in the private rooms just for us.) Events take place 5pm-7pm every other Thursday through September 14.

AUGUST 17-27

AUGUST 19

Kentucky State Fair

OLD LOUISVILLE LIVE: JECOREY ARTHUR "1200" Central Park

Expo Center The Official state fair will be back from August 17-27 at the Kentucky Expo Center! The unique, family-friendly 11-day festival that celebrates local and statewide heritage gives far more to the Commonwealth than merely blue ribbon competition, concerts, special exhibits and carnival rides. It is a showcase for Kentucky’s finest products, companies, entertainment, and, most importantly, people.

oldlouisville.org/old-louisville-live The Old Louisville Neighborhood Council is proud to announce the return of Old Louisville LIVE, a free performing arts series in Central Park. Old Louisville LIVE offers something for everyone with its diverse lineup of music, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities.

All concerts are held at the C. Douglas Ramey Amphitheater.

2017 BOURBON MIXER

AUGUST 18

FRIDAY MOVIE NIGHT: FINDING DORY

The Louisville Zoo louisvillezoo.org/movies/ Enjoy a movie under the stars at the wildest theater in town. Watch your favorite movies on our giant inflatable screen. The Zoo Crew will provide free entertainment before the show. Snacks and other refreshments will be available for purchase. Don’t forget to pack your blanket or lawn chairs. Movie nights are FREE to Zoo members and only $5 after 5 p.m. for non-members. Ticket purchase and movie night entrance until 8 p.m.

The Henry Clay bourbonmixer.com Each year, two of Louisville’s most spirited social groups, the Whisky Chicks and the Bourbon Brotherhood host the Bourbon Mixer. Come mix and mingle with Master Distillers and bourbon celebrities all while supporting a great cause.

Over a dozen premium bourbon brands will bring samples of some of their best spirits along with fun treats like bourbon popsicles and root beer floats.

THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING AT YOUR FINGERTIPS NOW AVAILABLE! Proformance_Tops_0817.indd 1

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TOPS calendar

what to do in lou

August/Sept events AUGUST 20

15TH ANNUAL JDRF AWARENESS RIDE

FORD KENTUCKY TRUCK PLANT FordKTPCares.com UAW / Ford Kentucky Truck Plant has several events through the year to help raise money for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) .

The 15th Annual Awareness Ride and Porker run is on Aug.20th this year it starts at the Kentucky Truck Plant at the administration building (by the Flag poles)and end at My Old Kentucky Home State Park . Registration will be held at the administration building Kentucky Truck Plant 3001 Chamberlain Ln. Louisville, KY. 40241.

Registration begins at 8 AM. Ride leaves at 10.

AUGUST 26

Brew at the Zoo

The Louisville Zoo Louisvillezoo.org Come to the zoo for tastings from craft breweries, wineries and local restaurants, as well as animal encounters. The event begins at 4 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m.

BLUEGRASS ON THE SQUARE

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN CORYDON thisisindiana.org/event/bluegrass-on-thesquare-6/ The downtown square of Historic Corydon comes alive with the sounds of Bluegrass this summer!

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Food is available to purchase. This event is free to the public.

MUSIC BY THE WATER at NORTON COMMONS

Norton Commons Norton Commons, the growing new urbanist community in Prospect, will host its third annual free summer concert series “Music by the Water” on August 26. Residents and non-residents alike are invited to the idyllic lakefront amphitheater.

Concert attendees may bring their own food, or purchase food and beverages from local food trucks on site. Parking is available at the Town Center.

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AUGUST 26

kicking Butt 5K

Waterfront Park coloncancerpreventionproject.org AUGUST 29

DOG DAY AT THE PARK

Community · Arts · Benefit · family · music

SEPTEMBER 4

Subway Fresh Fit Hike, Bike & Paddle

Waterfront Park hikebikeandpaddle.org Bring the entire family for this free, healthy hometown event. Various fitness demonstrations start the day including yoga, tai chi, zumba, pickleball and much more. There are numerous vendor booths available for information and giveaways. After all of that, take your pick from a hike, bike ride or a paddle on the Ohio River. This event is not a race. It is open to participants of all levels and we encourage everyone to get out and enjoy the festivities!

Louisville Slugger Field kyhumane.org/news-annual-events/dog-day Every summer the Louisville Bats host the very popular Dog Days at the Park at Louisville Slugger Field. These events raise money for our furry friends and the Kentucky Humane Society by allowing fans the opportunity to bring their dog(s) to the ballpark on specially selected game dates. Fans making a donation of $3 per dog to the Kentucky Humane Society get to bring their pooch to our very own V.I.P. (Very Important Puppies) section and receive a special doggie bag (First 500 dogs). Tickets for humans are $8 per person. 100% of the dog admissions price is a donation to KHS.

SEPTEMBER 7

Main Street Association’s Summer Happy Hour Series: Underground

SEPTEMBER 8

Bearno’s By The Bridge This summer MSA is taking it UNDERGROUND for their Happy Hour Series featuring cocktail specials and complimentary appetizers, plus other surprises, at FIVE of the coolest (literally, because it's inside in the summer) underground venues on Main Street. The events are free to attend, but please RSVP in advance, since space is limited at some (in the private rooms just for us.) Events take place 5pm-7pm every other Thursday through September 14.

SEPTEMBER 1–4

KENTUCKY FLEA MARKET LABOR DAY SPECTACULAR 2017

KENTUCKY FAIR AND EXPO CENTER stewartpromotions.com

WORLDFEST

Belvedere louisvilleky.gov/government/city-events/ worldfest

Ed Sheeran at the KFC Yum! Center

KFC Yum! Center kfcyumcenter.com/events/detail/ed-sheeran Multiple GRAMMY Award-winning global superstar Ed Sheeran has announced details for his North American arena tour, which will stop at KFC Yum! Center in Louisville on September 7.

WESTPORT VILLAGE SUNSET CONCERT SERIES: PORCH POSSUMS/NORTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

WESTPORT VILLAGE westportvillage.com/events/ Two-time winner of the Best Bluegrass Band South of Goose Creek, the Porch Possums play all kinds of music, but generally work around bluegrass, folk, blues and gospel. Throughout the evening, Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation will be collecting donations to stock their Secret Santa Shop for kids and their parents. Everyone who donates from the Foundation’s wish list will be entered into a drawing for a giveaway the night of the concert.

Want to see your event in TOPS? Submit your event online at topslouisville.com SEPTEMBER 8 - NOVEMBER 2

Fifth Third Bank’s “Dracula”

Actor’s Theatre Actorstheatre.org His fangs are bared. His eyes glow crimson.

Louisville’s favorite vampire is back! Based on Bram Stoker’s gothic tale of the immortal Transylvanian count and his unexpectedly feisty human prey, this fast-paced, fright-filled adaptation is a Halloween treat that drips with suspense—and even more blood.

SEPTEMBER 9

B3 FEST: THE FESTIVAL OF BACON, BOURBON & BEER TO BENEFIT KOSAIR CHARITIES

LOUISVILLE EXECUTIVE AVIATION b3fest.com B3 Fest: The Festival of Bacon, Bourbon, & Beer to benefit Kosair Charities will take place September 9 at the Louisville Executive Aviation Hangar at Bowman Field! General Admission Tickets include all bacon tastings and are very limited & will sell out. They also have a very limited number of all inclusive VIP Tickets that include Early Entry VIP Hour and ALL FOOD & DRINK!

SEPTEMBER 9–10

SEPTEMBER 14

September Art Fair

Main Street Association’s Summer Happy Hour Series: Underground

Mellwood Art Center mellwoodartcenter.com Louisville's September Art Fair at Mellwood is an annual showcase of juried artwork that is free and open to the public. Attendees can peruse a variety of artwork ranging from handcrafted jewelry to oil paintings and enjoy live entertainment, fresh food and great drinks.

BIG FOUR BRIDGE ARTS FESTIVAL ON THE WATERFRONT

Big Four Bridge bigfourbridgeartsfestival.com Each year, the Big Four Bridge Arts Festival invites guests to start the weekend of fine art, food and entertainment with the Big Four Bridge Arts Festival Preview Party. Guests for this one night only event have exclusive access to the entire Big Four Bridge Arts Festival to view the art of the guest artists, enjoy delicious food and beverages and, of course, have the first chance to buy limited edition works of art! This is one of the most highly anticipated nights in Louisville’s social calendar.

2017 Walk to End Alzheimer's

Waterfront Park Act.alz.org

The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience This summer MSA is taking it UNDERGROUND for their Happy Hour Series featuring cocktail specials and complimentary appetizers, plus other surprises, at FIVE of the coolest (literally, because it's inside in the summer) underground venues on Main Street. The events are free to attend, but please RSVP in advance, since space is limited at some (in the private rooms just for us.) Events take place 5pm-7pm every other Thursday through September 14.

SEPTEMBER 23

BARK IN THE PARK WOOF WALK/5K RUN

Seneca Park animalcaresociety.org/bip2016 The 14th annual fundraising event includes a 5K run as well as other family-friendly events.

Proceeds go to benefit Animal Care Society, the city’s first non-profit, no kill shelter, located at 12207 Westport Road. Events for pets and their owners include Kissing contest, look alike contest, a doggie Halloween costume fashion show, agility demonstrations and many other activities which begin at 7 a.m. and last until 1 p.m.

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TOP SHOTS Who’s Who in Lou!

Forecastle Festival

Westport Village Summer Concert Series

AHA Hearty Party

Louisville Downtown Partnership video filming

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