The Louisville KY Real Estate Blog

I’m sure many people are still trying to wind down from the Kentucky State Fair or may feel a little let down now that all the festivities are over and the town is back to normal, but for those of you who still want one last dose of good ole Kentucky tradition, head on down to the Kentucky Flea Market Labor Day Spectacular for more booths, fun, food and attractions.

This year the Kentucky State Flea Market is supposed to feature over a thousand different booths with just over 400 antique booths featuring items such as lamps, chairs, furniture, etc., toys and small trinkets, as well as one of a kind ‘only-seen-on-tv’ items.

If the antique and gadget vendors don’t entice you to give the flea market a try, how about appearances by three of the premier wrestlers of the original WWF (World Wrestling Federation,now WWE), they are: Honky Tonk Man, the old wresting, Elvis look-alike who will be present allfour nights, Greg the Hammer Valentine who will also be there all four nights and all-time favorite, Mr. Hacksaw Jim Duggan. These wrestlers were really big in their time and for adults who may have been one time wrestling fans or those with children who are enthused about the current wrestlers of today, this would be a good time to introduce them to some of the history of the sport, as well as have them get a chance to actually meet a few of the entertainment industry of wrestling’s founding fathers. As an added bonus, the wrestlers are providing a chance for an autograph for a small fee, which would be well worth it for true WWE fans.

The Kentucky State Flea Market is constantly ranked as one of the biggest and best flea markets in the United States. Having been held at the Kentucky State Fairgrounds for the last 25 years, the KFM has consistently been ranked in the top ten nationally in flea markets by the popular McCall’s Magazine.

The Labor Day and New Year’s Show have been some of their popular events which have been known to feature over 1200 booths including the special Antique Section. This year is going to be another promising season for the larger flea market specials and I encourage everyone who has an interest in antiques, wrestling and other quirky hobbies and interests to get down to the flea market this weekend for the Labor Day Spectacular!

When: August 31st –September 3rd

Friday 12 to 6, Saturday 10 to 6, Sunday 11 to 6, Monday 10 to 5

Where: Kentucky Expo Center –West Wing Pavillion.

Cost: Free admission

For Whom: The family

For more information regarding Louisville Real Estate, please visit www.louisvillekyrealstate.co.

For many in the Louisville community, the Belle of Louisville represents a piece of history that cannot be erased. Many children and college age students remember having parties and fieldtrips on the Belle of Louisville when they were younger and adults have memories of steamboat races, weddings and various other events that have taken place on one of Louisville’s oldest attractions. This Labor Day the Belle of Louisville will be gearing up for its Labor Day Dance Cruise. The evening is going to be one that is sure to bring back memories and get the older crowd boogying like they did in the ‘good ole days’. Popular live band Soul Circus, who specializes in blues, funk, country, R&b, and rock will be performing old hits that everyone is sure to enjoy and along with the view of the Louisville skyline, the night is sure to be one to remember.

The original Belle of Louisville was titled Idlewild and was constructed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1914. The Belle was originally intended to be a ferry and packet vessel, but also held a unique design that would also make it useful for its later use. The Belle has been described as the most well-traveled river steamboat in the nation and is still used for local parties, school events, fundraisers and casual races in Louisville.

A unique piece of Belle history that many of the younger generations may not know about is the existence of a life-saving station in Louisville that was named a National Historic Site and was one of the only life-saving stations left today. The station, which sits at River Road and Fourth Street, was constructed for the purpose of housing rescue crews whose job it was to save people who fell victim to the Falls of Ohio. It was the first such building that was ever constructed in the western hemisphere and it just so happens to be right here in Louisville! Also, as a testament to the technological advancement and skilled craftsmanship that was involved in the creation of the station, much of the original interior remains.

The Belle of Louisville is and always be a staple in the Louisville community. They offer services for many special occasions such as weddings, holiday celebrations, corporate retreats, High School Proms and much more. The Labor Day Dance Cruise is an event that is sure to accentuate the worth of the Belle of Louisville not only as a national historic landmark, but also a landmark testament to the vibrancy of our community and the times of old. So get down to the Belle of Louisville this Labor Day and have a little fun at a historic site in Louisville.

When: September 1, 2012

Where: Belle of Louisville

River Road and Fourth Street.

Cost: $25

For Whom: Adults 

For more information regarding Louisville Real Estate, please visit www.louisvillekyrealstate.co

Who wants to kick off Halloween a little bit earlier this year? For those who are hip to the booming Highland scene, the 8^th annual Zombie Attack Walk will be held August 29^th starting at 8pm at Mid City Mall. Over the last 8 years the Zombie Attack Walk has been a local cult classic as well as a big event celebrated by many students at local Bellarmine University as well as the University of Louisville. In addition to participants from local universities and neighborhoods, many of the businesses in the Highlands look forward to the event as well, with this year including sponsorship from: The Highlands Tap Room, The New Highlands Tap Room & Grill, The Backdoor in Mid City Mall, as well as the Big Bar at 1202 Bardstown Rd. The event is not only a good way for businesses in the area to profit off a booming tradition in Louisville, it is also a chance for participants and the community to celebrate the quirkiness of Louisville and the homemade traditions that we have.

According to LouisvilleZombieAttack.org the Louisville Zombie Attack started in 2005 by two friends John King and Lyndi Lou. Realizing they had the same August 30^th birthdate they decided to have a costume party and after going through many ideas they finally decided on holding a Zombie costume party. After receiving inspiration from a slew of Zombie movies they asked their partygoers to do a flash mob on the street before their birthday event at a friend’s local bar. Spurring a 200 person turnout, the event has since become a staple in Louisville’s Highland community.

In addition to the Zombie Walk, there will also be a pre-walk ceremony at the Back Door, where their will be a viewing of the groundbreaking film Return of the Living Dead. From there the group of walkers will walk to The MonkeyWrench on 1025 Barrett Ave for music by Squeezebot, OK Zombie and the Va Va Vixens. In addition to the live music their will also be a wide variety of costume contests that include: Hottest Zombie, Grossest Zombie, and the Best Zombie couple with prizes being furnished by Ratterman Funeral Home and Tattoo Charlie’s. 

Where: The Monkey Wrench

1025 Barrett Ave

Louisville, KY 40204

When: Wednesday August 29^th, 2012

For Whom: College age adults, 21 and under guests are welcome, but will be alcohol will not be sold to any individual without a valid 21 and over I.D.

Cost: Free

For more information regarding Louisville Real Estate and to search the Louisville MLS, please visit www.louisvillekyrealestate.co.

Continuing with the spread of compassion and understanding amongst the Louisville Community, the Best Buddies foundation is hosting an event titled the Best Buddies Friendship Walk, which is to take place on Saturday, September 29^th at the University of Louisville campus. The Best Buddies Friendship Walk is being held for the purpose of raising money and awareness of the Best Buddy non-profit organization, which has been established in order to assist those individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Along with a walk that will begin at 9:30 their will also be a post-celebration with activities such as a magic show, carnival, live music and face painting, so not only is this a chance for awareness to be drawn to the cause, but it is also a chance for family fun.

The Best Buddies foundation is a non-profit organization that works to integrate people with IDD into the workplace, schools, and their communities. To do this the foundation looks to develop partnerships with students, community leaders, business owners, teachers and employers that will help facilitate leadership skills, learning skills, job skills, and social skills to people with IDD so that they may have as great a chance as anyone at being successful and independent. To get an idea of the good that the Best Buddies foundation is doing worldwide as well as in the Louisville community here are some of the active integration programs that the Best Buddies Foundation hosts: Best Buddies Middle/High school- where individuals with IDD can pare up with middle and high school students in order to facilitate long lasting friendships, inclusion in social events, and the sharing of social/ learning skills; Best Buddy Ambassadors- which looks to facilitate leadership skills in individuals with IDD; Best Buddy Citizens where individuals with IDD may be connected to the community, which helps develop social skills and Best Buddy Jobs which is a program that looks to partner individuals with IDD with business owners and employers in the community.

The Best Buddies foundation’s Friendship Walk 2012 is a great opportunity for the community to become aware of the work that this non-profit is doing, as well as be informed on ways that they may be able to assist in including individuals with IDD’s into the social and economic community. For those who may not have the time to attend or may not be able to walk in the event on the 29^th, there is also an option to sponsor a group of walkers or runners. Either way, this is a great opportunity to not only come out, get a little exercise and have fun, but also an opportunity to acknowledge and support the great work that the Best Buddies Foundation has done internationally over the years.

When: September 29, 2012

Where: The University of Louisville campus

Cost: Registration is free, however, teams can be sponsored and individual runners/walkers can raise funds for the walk.

For whom: Could be a: family event, work event, social event, etc. 

For more info regarding Louisville Real Estate, please contact Nick Peskoe with Keller Williams Realty at 502-438-9138.

So I have just been informed that you need a great deal of help on your swing… Not to worry, because the University of Louisville is sponsoring a program that has just what you need! Starting with a first session that lasts from August 25 through October 10^th and a second session that lasts from October 1^st through November 12^th, the University of Louisville will be sponsoring beginner’s golf classes for those who seek to learn more about the sport, as well as become more experienced with new techniques and methods.

PGA of America Apprentice David Hoffman will be the instructor for the course. As a golf instructor for the PGA for a while now, David seeks to teach his students some of the essential skill components and traits of a developed golfer such as: chip shots, pitching, mid-irons, putting, long-irons, and much more. Being that the class is developed in order to give personal attention to the golfers that enroll, the maximum number of students in the class is 15, so therefore, if you are someone who may be interested in the course you should reserve your spot soon as availability is decreasing due to students trying to take advantage of the remaining warm season, as the next session doesn’t start until October 1^st.

When many people think of golf they spew a grand amount of misconceptions and primarily think of it as a boring sport to be enjoyed solely by the elite. However, golf is not only a sport enjoyed by all people, but also a sport that is very beneficial to one’s health and well-being. Some of the benefits of playing golf are: increased exercise and heart rate (when golfing an 18 hole course that is the equivalent of walking 3 to 4 miles!), increased concentration (golfers must concentrate only on the task at hand when making swings), and last but certainly not least increased socialization with others (golf when played within a small group or team is normally very social and fun and can build communication skills as well).

For those of you in the Louisville community who feel like your golf game needs a little work or for those who just want to meet other golf enthusiasts, this is certainly the event for you. While being taught by a golf pro, as well as being held at the scenic Seneca Park Golf Course, the event slots are sure to fill soon so be sure and grab a spot while you still can!

Where: Seneca Golf Course

2300 Pee Wee Reese Road

Louisville, KY 40205

When: First Session- August 25 through October 10^th   

Saturday’s 9 to 10:30am

Second Session-October 1st through November 12^th

Monday’s 4 to 5:30pm

For Whom: Those interested in improving and developing their golf skills. 

For More info about Real Estate in Louisville, please contact Nick Peskoe at 502-438-9138.

There is only one time of year here in Louisville, Kentucky when you can have over 30 different cultures being represented at one time. If you’re thinking World Fest you’re exactly right! This year Louisville will host Worldfest 2012 which will be held the entire Labor Day weekend from August 31, 2012 through September 2nd and will feature some ofthe best food, games, performances and much more from around the world.

Although many people may not know it, Louisville, Kentucky is one of the most diverse places in the United States. With over 90 different languages being spoken in our community, we are amongst a diverse population of people from all over the world. In fact, in the last fifteen to twenty years around 50% of the growth in the Louisville community has been attributed to the migration of international citizens. Events such as World Fest are not only fun, but necessary. In addition to the fun, carnival nature of World Fest it is also an educational opportunity for people who many not be too familiar with other cultures, to come and learn about people who have different beliefs than they do or may wear or eat different things than they do. It is an educational experience that can be enjoyed by the entire family. In order for a strong community to be built it will take the cross-educational experience of individuals from different cultures, both minority and majority, which will hopefully build stronger bonds of acceptance between the citizens ofLouisville, Kentucky.

While World Fest boasts of a strong educational purpose, it is also a carnival where people are encouraged to let their hair down and try new things that can broaden their horizons culturally, as well as educate them on the talents of the many individuals within their community. Some of the activities that will be open to the public during World Fest 2012 are: ‘A World of Performances’ where a series of performances will simultaneously take place on three stages during the festival, ‘Shop Around the World’ where several booths will be selling crafted items of African, European, Asian, Central American and South American style. Also, as an added bonus, World Fest is also hosting a Naturalization Ceremony where individuals will take their U.S. ‘oath of citizenship’. With these events,as well as the many more that are scheduled, World Fest 2012 is shaping up to be a great event that the whole community can enjoy.

World Fest 2012 will be held at The Belvedere and is actually an award winning event as the Kentucky Travel Industry Association named it one of the Top 10 Fall events. Everyone in the Louisville community should make it out to this as there is a lot of fun to be had, a whole lot to learn and even more to experience!

Where: The Belvedere

When: Labor Day Weekend August 31-September 2, 2012

For Whom: Anyone

For more information regarding Louisville KY Real Estate, please visit www.louisvillekyrealestate.co.

If you’re anything like me, you just can’t get enough of some good ole’ barbeque. WithIndependence Day long gone and Labor Day on the horizon, it just doesn’t seem fair, right orreasonable, that to some, the barbeque season is possibly coming to an end. Well I got news for youmy fellow pork-heads, the local Home of the Innocence is teaming up with Chef Laurent Gerolis forthe Big Ol’ Backyard Barbeque celebration. A family event that is sure to feature some of the bestbarbeque in town, the Home of the Innocence sure has a lot in store for those of us who still wantto get out and enjoy some of the sunshine and great weather that late summer in Louisville has tooffer. In addition to having a chance to indulge in food, games and good times, participants will alsoget to experience another one of the many entertainment- themed fundraisers that a local non-profit is hosting in order to please you, while bringing attention to their cause.

The hosting chef for the event, Mr. Laurent Gerolis, is a chef who may be known to some inthe Louisville community as he also holds a position at the Brown Hotel. Having grown up inMontreal, Chef Gerolis accepted his first job at a Four Seasons there and from then has traveledinternationally sharing his passion and expertise for cuisine, while boasting over twenty years inprofessional kitchen experience. So for those who may be skeptical of eating any other barbequethan your own, trust me, this guy knows what tastes good!

The Louisville Home of the Innocents has been operating for over 132 years and has a mission ofgiving service and assistance to those individuals who are facing major crisis. Some of the programsbeing hosted at the Home of the Innocents are: healing programs for abused, abandoned and neglected children, programs for pregnant/parenting teens, medically challenged children, as wellas those who are terminally ill, in-school and at home support for children who have autism as wellas for their families who may not be financially able to provide their child with the services he orshe needs. In addition to the promise to continue providing this service, the Louisville Home ofthe Innocents is also an organization that guarantee’s 88 cents out of every dollar goes directly toenriching the programs that they have in place for the disadvantaged.

Be sure and bring your family out to the Big Ol’ Barbeque at the Home of the Innocents thisweekend August 25th from 5:30 to 8:30. There is going to be games, prizes, and some of the bestbarbeque in town you don’t want to miss it. Also, there is a chance to support one of the leadingnon-profits in the Louisville community. With discounts, food, games and desert auctions available,this is a Big Ol’ Barbeque that you just CANNOT and I mean CANNOT miss!

When: Saturday, August 25th from 5:30 to 8:30 pm

Where: In the Backyard at Home of the Innocents’ Joan E. Thomas, M.D. children’s village, 1100 EastMarket Street, Louisville, KY 40206

For whom: The Family

Cost: See homeoftheinnocents.org for more details on discount eligibility and rates.

For more information about Homes for sale in Louisville, please visit www.louisvillekyrealestate.co

It is a known fact that Louisville, Kentucky is called home to some of the finest Italian cuisine restaurants in the whole region. Restaurants such as Volare, Le Gallo Rosso, and Porcini’s are just a few of the local restaurants in the community that bring the taste, smells and traditions of Italy right to your stomping ground.  On August 24^th, another one of Louisville’s famous Italian eateries Vincenzo’s will be hosting their Evening of Food, Fun and Wine at Vincenzo’s event for those local ‘foodies’ who want to indulge their taste buds in a night of great wine and Italian Cuisine.

Vincenzo’s was founded by Vincenzo Gabriele and his brother Agostino, who are both from Palermo, Italy. Both brothers were influenced to get into fine dining and cuisine by their father, who was also a captain in the Italian Merchant Marine, with Agostino taking on his first job as a kitchen aid at the Rosticceria Domore in Palermo, Sicily. Since the founding of the restaurant it has become a staple in the Louisville community, as well as a prime eatery in Louisville’s own Gallery District. And get this! Not only is Vincenzo’s popular to those in the Louisville community, it is also an establishment that is known for celebrity guests just ‘dropping by’. Previous guests at Vincenzo’s include: boxers Muhammed Ali and Evander Holyfield, Al Pacino, and Sylvester Stallone. You just never know who may show up in the restaurant just to grab a bite of Vincenzo and Agostino’s Italian delight.

In addition to offering dine-in services Vincenzo’s also offers a catering service that is sure to accommodate every event both big and small listing catering options for: dinner catering, lunch buffet, dinner buffet, hor d’oeuvres, as well as catering for Humana employees. So if you can’t get out to Vincenzo’s who is to say they can’t just come to you?!

August 24^th’s Evening at Vincenzo’s is sure to be a night to remember for those who love Italian food. The event features five meal courses with specific wine parings for each course. They include wines from the Claudio Morelli Le Marche winery and the San Giovannie Lombardy winery, which are sure to go over well with those who know their wines and are fascinated with fine dining. This will make the perfect place for a Friday evening date, but don’t sleep on making reservations because tables are filling up for this special event. So if you’re someone who likes Italian cuisine, top-shelf wine, as well as service from one of the best Italian restaurants in the city, then this event is for you!

When: August 24^th, 2012

 Where: Vincenzo's Italian Restaurant

150 South 5th Street

Louisville, KY 40202

Time: 6:30pm

Cost: $65 per person (tax not included)

For whom: Those 21 years and older (Fine dining enthusiasts) 

For more information about Louisville Real Estate, please contact Nick Peskoe at 502-438-9138.

A lot of people in the Louisville community may not know, but River City Races, which is a road-race management group who has been serving the Louisville community for going on nine years, is really revving up their engines this year in the fight against cancer and many other diseases and causes. For all the work that they have done in the community it is only right to explore their services and promote them as the premier association in the region for this type of work.

During its nine year tenure  of service in Louisville, Kentucky River City Races has gone on to include many different elements to the services that they offer to the non-profit organizations and government organizations that seek their expertise when it comes to fundraiser walks and benefits. Some of the many services River City Races offer include: a reach of 10k potential racers by way of the digitally distributed River City Races newsletter, online registration, course creation/measurement, tips on walking and preparing for a race, conduction of an awards ceremony as well as many other benefits. So now you may thinking ‘What else? Even McDonalds could sponsor a simple walk around the park, right?’ Wrong. In addition to the promotional and organizational tools that the company puts to use, they also feature a variety of challenging races that they are willing to host including the: Polar Bear Grant Prix, Reindeer Romp, Louisville Triple Crown of Running, the Snowman Shuffle 4 Miler and many more that are sure to make you break a sweat, but also make the participant feel accomplished and in a manner that is much more memorable than just giving money to a non-profit… The giver actually gets a chance to participate and have a good time as a thank you for their gift!

The August weather is perfect for getting some extra time in the sun after a hot summer and what more perfect time to experience some of the events that River City Races has to offer? Some of the upcoming events for River City Races include: The Walk Away from Colon Cancer and 5k Run, which is going to be hosted at Iroquois Park and was organized in order to raise funds as well as awareness in the quest to prevent treatable and detectable forms of colon cancer. Also the 29^th Annual Pioneer Run, whose mission is to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and research, will be held on September 8^th at Seneca Park.

As you can see, River City Races has a lot in store for the next couple weeks with plenty chances to enjoy some time out in the sun before the fall season. Go to www.rivercityraces.org in order to find out more information on races, start times and donations and how you can do your part in the race against preventable disease. 

Fore more information about Louisville Real Estate, please contact Nick Peskoe at 502-438-9138

Tell me one place on earth that serves Krispy Kreme Doughnut hamburgers? I’m almost 100% sure you can’t, unless you have been to the Kentucky State Fair. That’s right. The Kentucky State Fair has Krespy Kreme Doughnut Hamburgers and many more attractions and make ya say ‘what –the-heck’s’ as this year marks the 105^th  season that Louisville, Kentucky has hosted the fair.

Each year the KSF brings in many attractions from all over the state and region such as: farm animals, live music, great food, games, rides and many more forms of entertainment that is sure to appease all crowds from little children to adults and seniors.  This year is sure to be another good one as the Kentucky Exposition Center attempts to pull off another fun-filled success.

The eleven day fair, which will be held from August 16^th through the26th will feature a wide-range of attractions during the eleven day event that are sure to draw out many diverse crowds of people. Some of the main activities this year include: a BMX show being shown three times a day during the week and weekend, with one show starting at 7:30 so that way the kids can attend after school, a performing arts showcase that includes dancers and live instruments, a ‘trial by jury exhibit’ where you may go view a mock trial and experience what it actually feels like to deliver a verdict based on the evidence, military exhibits including a high ropes course sponsored by the Kentucky National Guard, as well as many other agricultural and animal events.

For the adult crowd the tents at the Kentucky State Fair are often a main attraction. Many of Kentucky’s finest bands are playing there this year including Louisville’s own Kirby’s Dreamland featuring lead singer Tommy Miller whose band is being featured this year in the QTent, and many other Kentucky acts.

As an added bonus to those who may either have family coming in town for the fair or plan on traveling to Louisville for a couple of days to experience the exhibits and attractions, many local hotels have specials available for the event including The Galt House with a special nightly rate, as well as the Breckinridge Inn and Red Roof right off of Hurtsbourne for those traveling I-64 East.

The Kentucky State fair is always a warm welcome to the statewide community, because it shows how much Kentucky produces to the world and shows off the creations and hard-work of all of our individual counties. So go out to the fair over the next few days and enjoy some of the things that Kentucky has to offer, as well as appreciate some of the creations and talents of those in our state-wide community.

When: August 16^th-August26th

Where: Kentucky Exposition Center 937 Phillips Lane

Louisville, Kentucky 40209

For Whom: The family (although children may not be allowed in certain areas where alcohol is being served)

Cost: See kystatefair.org for more information on ticket prices, parking and lodging.

For more information about Real Estate in Louisville, please visit www.louisvillekyrealestate.co.

Well folks, the time is coming for the Louisville community to get geared up for another round of fun at the 43rd annual Gaslight Festival in the Jeffersontown area and despite it being a few weeks off, the hype and excitement is already mounting! 

The Chamber of Jeffersontown, which includes a large network of around 800 dedicated individuals, as well as dedicated businesses that work to advance the interests of the J-town community, is the hosting party for this year's Gaslight Festival. While in collaboration with the J-town Economic Development Authority, the Gaslight Festival attracts around 190-200,000 guests per year and is a very big boost to the economic well-being of the area. 

Starting in 1969 the Gaslight Festival has grown from a small community wide celebration to a city-wide affair, being named one of the Top-20 celebrations in the Southeastern region. 

In the middle of Gaslight Square, the annual location spot for the Gaslight Festival, there will be plenty of fun, food and activities for the entire family! The eight day festival features events such as the: Thunder Motor Cycle Rally, Gaslight 5k Walk/Run, Gaslight Festival Parade and the Balloon Glow. All of these events are sponsored by local businesses and organizations such as Norton Suburban Healthcare, River City Bank, Owen Funeral Home and many more. Many of the activities will be family centered and for the children who may want to let off a little extra energy in addition to their activities, their will also be a children’s playground area as well as live music and entertainment. 

One of the main attractions of the Gaslight Festival is the Arts and Crafts and Extravaganza. The event features over 140 arts and crafts vendors from all over the country while also giving guests the selection of many different food and drink vendors to choose from. 

For this year all of the slots for booths and vendors are sold out, however, for anyone that has a political, non-profit or business booth that they would like to rent out for the Gaslight Festival 2013 feel free to contact the Chamber Office in J-town at (502)267-1674 as this is sure to be a good promotional opportunity for your company. 
With school starting next week the 2012 Gaslight Festival will be a good way for adults, families and children to wind down from the first weeks of classes and have a little fun before the long stretch into the Fall begins. So mark it on your calendar to attend the 2012 Gaslight Festival on September 9th through the 16th and show your support for the J-town Community!

For more information about Louisville Real Estate, please visit www.louisvillekyrealestate.co.

Are you someone who enjoys the outdoors and extreme sports? Well for starters, how does a 15mile bike ride, a 3K walk and a canoe trip sound?  On Monday September 3rd, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer will host the Mayor’s Healthy Hometown Subway Fresh Fit Hike, Bike & Paddle. This event is open to families, leisure outdoorsmen, as well as those who look to race. The event is being sponsored in order to promote healthy activity, exercise, recreation and family bonding. Many of the activities are those that the family can participate in, so this is an event for even the youngest adventurers.

The daily agenda starts with a morning of workouts that includes two hours worth of warm-ups for the days activities such as:  Sunny Side Warm-ups with Taylor McFarlane of Sunny Side Yoga, Tai Chi Warm-ups, Zumba and breathing exercises, it will be a day full of events so it is encouraged that those participants who are going to be competing in all of the events attend the warm-up sessions, especially those who are going to be participating in the Fit Hike and Bike. 

Established in order to create a healthier community, Healthy Hometown looks to combine many different networks of partners from schools, community organizations, colleges and non-profit groups in order to create activities that promote better eating and exercising habits, more physical activity, as well as recreational activities that promote the family structure. The Hike Bike and Paddle at Waterfront Park is one of the many events that Healthy Hometown has put on so far. Some of the other past events and initiatives include: Farm to Table, Street Sense- a campaign that promotes safety while driving, and Step Up Louisville.  

For an event of this nature of course their will be road closings as well as procedures that are put in place to keep everyone safe so stay tuned to the news for more information regarding event parking and street closings. Safety information for those that are participating in the Hike, Bike and Paddle is as follows: 

1. Helmets are encouraged for anyone that is ever riding a bike. All cyclists under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet. 

2. All participants in the Paddle route must wear safety vests. Also, this event is not a race so paddlers may go at their own pace. 

So get off the couch this Labor Day and head on down to the Waterfront with your friends and family for a fun, healthy day. If you are in need for a dose of outdoor activity this is the event for you

When: Labor Day 2012 (September 3, 2012) starting at 7:30am

Where: Waterfront Park  For Whom: Anyone/Family

Cost: Free 

For more information about Louisville Real Estate for Sale contact Nick Peskoe at 502-438-9138.

So you thought their weren’t many events for those of you who enjoy reading and conversing among fellow readers? Well the Locust Grove Summer Book Sale is just the right event for you! 

On August 24th through the 26th the Locust Grove Home is hosting it’s Summer Book Sale which will feature more than 10,000 used, antiquarian, and new books from many different categories for sale. Categories and genre’s of books include: history, biography, mystery, reference, science fiction, travel, cookbooks, children’s books, sci-fi, etc. Many of the books starting at just $1. 

The Locust Grove Home was built in 1790 by a man named William Croghan, who was a veteran of the Revolutionary War. He reared his family there for more than twenty years even hosting famous political figures in U.S. history such as President James Monroe and General Andrew Jackson. Today Locust Grove features a remodeled version of the 1790 Gregorian Style house including an original smoke house that was on the site as well as examples of gracefully crafted Kentucky art such as furniture, paintings, prints, textiles and home objects. According to the Locustgrove.org website, “Locust Grove is a unique example of early Kentucky architecture and history.” In addition to being a museum and a National Historic Landmark, Locust Grove also features a number of activities on it’s grounds such as: a gift shop, workshops, classes, camps for children including a ‘Pioneer Camp’ and a ‘Junior Re-Enactor Camp. Due to the historic significance of Locust Grove as well as the various educational activities that are hosted, this is a perfect place for families with younger children. 

In addition to featuring summer camps and workshops, Locust Grove also has space available for weddings, business meetings, retreats, community events, family events and other gatherings that require space. The atmosphere is very peaceful and serene, so it would certainly be a good idea to pick Locust Grove as the site to host your next event, however, during the more popular seasons the place seems to book really fast so catch your slot ASAP! 

It’s nice to have a place such as Locus Grove in the Louisville community to remind us how much history our area really has. We are a historically rich area and the Locust Grove site shows us just how deep our roots are. Visit Locust Grove on August 24th through the 26th for the Summer Book Sale and be sure to go to www.locustgrove.org for more information on workshops, camps, and booking your next event at Locust Grove. 

Where: Historic Locust Grove 561 Blankenbaker Lane Louisville , KY 40207 (502) 897-9845

When: August 24th through the 26th. (Visit locustgrove.org for info on daily hours). 

For Whom: Family, avid readers

For more information about Louisville Real Estate please contact Nick Peskoe at 502-438-9138.

Once again this year the Louisville Zoo will ‘outbrew’ its competition but not with white alligators or the famous gorilla exhibit. On August 25^th, 2012 the Louisville Zoo will host their 8^th annual Brews at the Zoo festival featuring a lot of fun for the older, 21 and over crowd of Louisville. This is a good chance to get out and taste a large selection of beers and wines from the wineries and breweries in the region.

The 2012 Brews at the Zoo and Wine Too festival is being held by Friends of the Louisville Zoo, established in 1969, which is a 501 (c) organization whose purpose is to fundraise in order to ensure that the zoo remains a long lasting staple in the Louisville and national community with the work that they do with animals. Some of the projects that the group helps develop include enhancing the exhibits, programs and the overall development of the Louisville Zoo into a nationally recognized exhibit.

Being well versed in not only how to raise funds for the zoo, but also how to throw a party, the Friends of the Louisville Zoo have an exceptional celebration lined up that includes the 70’s and 80’s inspired band 100% Poly. The event will feature over 60 different restaurants and vendors with samples available for the public. In the past the proceeds that are raised from the Brew at the Zoo went to benefit the Glacier Run Capital Campaign which was a large exhibit modeled after a mining town on the edge of the Artic that aimed to educate visitors and hopefully encourage them to take a more active role in the preservation of the planet.

I’m sure everyone can agree that the goal behind the Brews at the Zoo fundraiser is very commendable and noteworthy as they look to continue to provide education and recreation to the city of Louisville. So go out Wednesday August 25^th and show your support for the best zoo in the world! The Louisville Zoo!

When: August 25, 2012

Where: The Louisville Zoo, 1100 Trevilian Way, Louisville, KY 40213

For Whom: Adults 21 and Over ** ALL GUESTS must be 21 or older and must bring a valid id to the event. No exceptions made for any reason. ** DD admission doesn’t include beer, wine and food

Cost:  Individual- $45.00/Designated Driver- $30.00

Day of event: Individual- $55.00/Designated Driver $40.00

For more information about Louisville Real Estate, please visit www.louisvillekyrealestate.co

Many parents in the Louisville community are expecting their children to enter college this coming fall as freshman at universities all across the United States. Local state universities such as the University of Louisville, the University of Kentucky and Bellarmine University are all gearing up for the upcoming school year and anticipating another year educating students at some of the best institutions that the Midwest has to offer.

For parents and educators the start of a new school year may be a very filled with angst and intense preparation. Seeing your child go off to college can be very bittersweet for parents but, it can also be a time where they are proud of their child’s accomplishments and hopeful for their future. For educators, having the chance to once again see new faces and fill fresh minds can be an exciting time for them too, as they prepare lessons and schedules for class. However, the angst that the parents and teachers are facing is nothing like what the student is facing.

The transition from high school to college can be very difficult, especially for students who are leaving home for the first time. Some of the common problems that college freshman face are:

-anxiety over pressure to do well

-anxiety over meeting new people and making friends

-depression from being away from home

-struggles with studies

-lack of sleep

-balancing work and school

-too much partying or not enough social time

These common issues are why the Highlands/Shelby Park Library is hosting an info session titled Transitions: Strategies to move from high school to college for both upcoming seniors and recent graduates of high schools on Wednesday August 15th at 5:00pm. The session will be informal and it will be hosted in an open-forum format so that students may feel free to ask what questions they may have in regard to their college experience and the challenges that they may face and how to deal with those challenges. Students age 18-21 are encouraged to come to this event not only because they may have questions about college, but also because they will have a chance to meet others just like them and hopefully build a support system which will be vital during their first year of college. So parents encourage your child to attend this event as it will be important for them to receive all the help they can beforehand, so that some of the growing anxiety over their freshman year at college may be eased.

Where: Highlands/Shelby Park Library 1250 Bardstown Rd.

When: Wednesday August 15th, 2012 @ 5:00

For Whom: Students between 18-21

Cost: Free

For more information about Louisville Real Estate please visit www.louisvillekyrealestate.co

St. Joseph's Children’s Home has been a staple in the Louisville community for a very long time now, serving children who have been orphaned in the area. This Saturday they will be holding their annual St. Joseph's Orphans Picnic that averages a total of 60,000 people each year. The picnic which includes plenty of food and activities for the family is sure to draw a large crowd again this year, as well.

St. Joseph's Orphan society was formed in 1849 as a response to the Louisville cholera outbreak that happened in 1832 which left many young children orphaned and without families to go to. The society noticed the needs of the children and formed in order to create a place for the orphaned children to stay and afford them a chance at success. The Ursuline Sisters of Louisville administered the home from 1897 until 1972, where administration was transferred into the hands of those who were chosen by the center’s Trustee Board. What happened throughout the years until now was a series of expansions, renewals and excellent community work that has greatly improved the lives of those children who have been orphaned in the Louisville community. The services that the center offers include: a therapeutic/adoption program which assists with the adoption and support of families and individuals from birth to age 21 who have been through or are in the adoption process, a child development center which provides educational assistance and fun childcare for young children and a residential treatment program for boys and girls aged 6 -14 who have been through abuse and neglect. The services that the St. Joseph's Children’s Home provide are services that are very necessary in the community, especially to children that have been orphaned or abused and neglected. The center gives them a chance to grow and experience life the way any other child would.

A great deal of the fundraising for the center happens at the annual St. Joseph's Children’s Home Picnic that is being held this Saturday on August 11th. In 1851 the event was put together in order to raise money to pay for the centers finances, and ever since then the event has grown each year to average 63 booths, over 3,000 volunteers, and feature prizes such as weekend getaways and even free cars!

So this weekend come out to the St. Joseph's Children’s Home Annual Picnic and some fun with games, food and raffles, while showing your appreciation and support for the hard work that the center has done over the last century.

When: Saturday, August 11th, 2012 11am-12am

Where: St. Joseph's Childrens Home 2823 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206

Cost: Prices for different booths vary

 For more information about Louisville Real Estate please contact Nick Peskoe at 502-438-9138.

If you're someone who digs the indie rock scene here in Louisville, KY then trust me, this will be the place you want to be this weekend! What better place in the world can rock on like the Louisvillians and churn out rifts that can make Jimi Hendrix proud? This weekend Louisville, Kentucky will be hosting the River City Rockoff, a three day contest between five bands from Louisville and Cincinnati, who are competing for studio time, cash and the chance to be crowned the best in the region.

This year the band lineup seems to be very exciting as it is a mixture of familiar and not so familiar bands that have entered the contest. For the Louisville bands the list includes groups such as:

-Blunt Honey

-The Ballista Band

-Ted Stevens

-Vice Tricks

from the Cincinnati side the band list includes groups such as:

-The Riverside Rampage

-God Bless and Asher Jones

-The Desert Gun

This year the winner of the contest will be decided by the fans. With every drink that is purchased each fan will receive a voting ticket. They will then write the name of the band they think performed the best on the back of their ticket and then drop it into a box, specifically for the band. On the final day of the event the winner will be decided in a 50/50 split of the votes from a panel of three special guest judges and the tickets that were submitted on Sunday.

The River City Rockoff this year includes prizes not only for the bands, but for the fans that attend as well, such as a gift package that includes:

-a special edition Heineken guitar

-Heine Brothers Coffee gift-cards

-Jagermeister Swag Bag

-Finess 19 membership

-Dance Louisville Lessons

-Free Galt House Accomodations

-Free Marc Anthony products

For fans of the River City rock off this actually gives them an incentive to attend that is beyond hours and hours of the best indie rock Louisville and Cincinnati have to offer. As for the bands, the prizes include:

First Place

-2 days free studio time

-$500 to the Doo Wop Shop

-$500 cash

Second Place

-2 days studio time

-$250 cash

Third Place

-$250 cash

So if you’re someone who enjoys hearing local rock bands, then this is the place for you to be this weekend as their will be plenty of food, good music and prizes for everyone. So come on out this weekend to the Diamond Pub and Billiards and enjoy a festive weekend that is sure to ROCK!

Where: Diamonds Pub and Billiards 630 Barret Ave.

               Louisville, KY 40204

When: Friday, August 10th until Sunday, August 12th

             9pm-2am Friday and Saturday

             6pm-11pm Sunday

Cost: 1 day pass $10

           3 day pass $22

For more information about Louisville Real Estate, please visit www.louisvillekyrealestate.co.

What better place in the Midwest to find out about nature other than the city of Louisville's very own Nature center? When you find a better place, be sure and let me know!

This weekend at the Louisville Nature Center there will be an exhibit titled Nature's Works and Quirks that will feature various ways in which our nature works in a quirky and not so quirky way. In a camp that is structured around family education on nature, especially families that have young children who are prone to outdoors activities and have an interest in nature, much of the activities are to make learning about nature and the way things work fun, as well as understandable for those who may not have a solid educational background on the outdoors. Nature programs such as this one foster learning and bonding in a family atmosphere, while also serving the interests of young children who have an interest in the outdoors, but may not have a local park for them to explore.

The Louisville Nature Center was created in order to provide nature education and nature centered recreation for those in the surrounding areas who want to have a break from the urban life. The grounds of the Nature Center include many features such as: a bird blind area, wildlife exhibits, a watershed exhibit, a library (which can be used for research or a nice place to cool down or warm up during the seasons), a nature-based gift shop, as well as the on-site Beargrass Creek Nature Preserve. So not only is this a place where families with young children may come out and learn and engage with nature, but it is also a place where adults and those who have an intellectual or academic curiosity in nature can come and do research while enjoying the recreational aspect that the facility and the park have to offer.

Nature camps are hosted on every second and fourth Saturday of the month. This Saturday the Works and Quirks tour through Beargrass Creek Nature Preserve will be presided over by Kathy Neely who has served as a volunteer for the Louisville Nature Center before. Topics will include 'Nature's Geometry' and will feature the geometrical patterns of plants, insects, snails and shells. So this weekend if you and your family are looking for a little fun in the sun and want to enjoy observing and learning about the odd quirks of nature feel free to drop down to the Louisville Nature Center this weekend for Nature's Works and Quirks and also look to www.louisvillenaturecenter.org for more information on their monthly camps.

Where: Louisville Nature Center at Beargrass Creek Nature Preserve

When: Saturday August 11th, 2012 @ Louisville Nature Center 3745 Illinois Ave, 10am-11:30am

For whom: Families with children aged 6 and up & those internested in nature.

Cost: $3 for non-members 

For more information about the Louisville MLS and Louisville Real Estate, please contact Nick Peskoe at 502-438-9138.

The Olympics are now in Kentucky! That’s right! The 2012 Olympics are now in Louisville, Kentucky!!! OK… Well not really in Kentucky, but pretty darn close. The Muhammad Ali Center is soon sponsoring a free event open to the community in which the 2012 Olympic Games will be featured at the center from 9am until 5pm August 8^th- 10^th.

The showing is in conjunction with their Olympic themed social media campaign titled Generation Ali. The campaign is geared toward making collaboration on projects that could positively impact the world a lot easier for leaders of the younger generation. As a part of a six word theme inspired by Ali, (1. Confidence 2. Dedication 3. Conviction 4. Giving 5. Respect 6. Spirituality)young  leaders will hopefully be encouraged by the campaign, which will be spread primarily through Twitter and the Ali Center is encouraged by the promotional value that the current Olympic Games holds in accordance with their theme.

The Ali Center was founded in 1997 and selected Louisville as its home location, because it was where it all began for famous boxer/ international icon Muhammad Ali and his dear wife Lonnie. The couple are the founders of the Ali Center and through the center remain a staple in the local, national and international community with their dedication toward the education and positive development of the youth of the world. Since the grand opening of the Ali Center in 2005, it has seen numerous visitors from 100 different countries around the world.

So with all this history behind such a great place, why would you want to sit at home watching the Olympics when you can go out and enjoy a nice day at the museum watching your favorite athletes compete? In addition to extending an invitation to come watch the games, the exhibit encourages guests to enjoy the exhibits from arguably the greatest sports icon ever. If guests would like to tour the museum they are asked to purchase tickets at the admissions desk, however, the public showing of the games is free to the public. They will be shown in the Ali Center auditorium and those who attend are permitted to carry with them a sack lunch. So go out next week and show your support for the Ali Center and their dedication to our community, as well as support for our country in the 2012 Olympic Games.

When: August 8^th-10^th 9am-5pm

Where: Muhammed Ali Center 144 N. Sixth St. Louisville, KY

Who: Anyone. Free for the community. 

For more information on Louisville Real Estate and Louisville KY please visit, www.louisvillekyrealestate.co.

Here at our local Louisville Real Estate Blog, we strive to give community members a place where they can learn about all aspects of Louisville. With that in mind, here is a guest interview, conducted by Christopher Golden with local mathematics tutor, Sherman Smith.

First can I have you introduce yourself and tell us about your educational background and your hobbies.

My name is Sherman Smith and I am from Louisville, Kentucky. I went to DuPont Manual high school and I am currently attending the University of Louisville pursuing a degree in Communication. What do I enjoy? I enjoy chillin’ (laughs).  But seriously what I enjoy is being around friends and family and basically being in places where everyone is enjoying themselves. That’s basically a hobby.

So I understand that you are a tutor correct?

Yes I’m a tutor, but that’s not really a hobby. I tutor at Newburg Library and it’s for a company called Achieve Math tutoring. It’s a tutoring company founded by my cousin Jermaine Anderson. He’s a teacher at Western Middle School and he’s actually ran a lot of educational programs for several years now such as Young Life and now he’s getting into tutoring, so it’s a really good program. Right now I’m focusing on children in the Newburg area and we tutor in the library for one and a half to two hours per day, students between sixth and eighth grade. So far it’s been a great experience.

That’s very inspiring man. So what got you interested in tutoring?

I’ve been sort of a journeyman if you will. I am very mercurial. I don’t really stick to one thing for a long time, but tutoring is something that I’ve wanted to do for a while. I want to be a teacher, that’s what I want to get my Master’s degree in. But there is something about teaching kids. You should never want kids to be corrupt. Kids are easily influenced and you need to make sure they have a good head on their shoulders. That’s something they need a lot. One thing I like about tutoring is that you’re teaching kids, but not in a classroom setting so you can get a little more intimate with them and share a little bit of your personal life and also talk about what’s going on with them and make sure they are doing ok. Also it’s the summer time and there is not a lot going on and sometimes kids are bored, so they like to get out and enjoy themselves for a little while. It seems like the library is a boring place, especially with kids, but by the end of the session they don’t want to go. I was just in a six week session that lasted until July 31st and I’ll be starting another when school starts. But in a nutshell that’s what got me started tutoring. I just want to be a teacher and it’s a very good starting point.

So what subjects do you tutor?

I tutor math. I’m not sure what I want to teach, but most likely some type of history or communications. I don’t really want to teach in the high school system, I want to be more on the collegiate level; however, I would like to still tutor kids in middle and high school when I become a professor.

Why communications and history? What about those subjects makes you want to teach them when you become a professor.

I just think there is a lot of power in communications and in history. There is a lot of power in knowing who you are, where you come from and how you are perceived and how you can dictate your perception in this world and communications holds a lot of power to that.

One last question. What do you think of public school education in Jefferson County?

Jefferson County is sufficient, but mostly for students are extremely intelligent and bright, or those that have a very good educational background, because from what I’ve experienced Jefferson County is lacking in that area. I think it just comes down to the parents. Parents, have got to teach their kids. It’s sounds cliché but education really does start in the household. That’s where it all starts.

Right I most certainly agree. So how can people get in contact with you about your services?

People can get in contact with me at [email protected] as well as emailing the Achieve Math Executive Director J.B. Anderson @achievemathtutoring.com Our phone number is 502-509-4828 and our website is www.achievemathtutoring.com It’s also paid for by the Jefferson County Public Schools, so it’s a free service.

Thanks Sherman. We appreciate the interview and the good work in the community, it is very inspirational. Keep up the good work.

And thank you for the interview. I appreciate it as well. God bless. 

For more information regarding Louisville Real Estate, please visit www.louisvillekyrealestate.co.