I was unaware that Howard Fineman graduated from UofL Law and began his journalism career at the CJ. That's pretty cool. It should add another interesting layer to his discussion at Carmichael's next week.

Carmichael's is delighted to host Newsweek senior Washington correspondent and MSNBC analyst Howard Fineman. Mr. Fineman will be discussing his new book, The Thirteen American Arguments: Enduring Debates that Inspire and Define our Country. Fineman earned a law degree at the University of Louisville and began his career as a journalist at the Louisville Courier-Journal.

Thursday May 15, 2008
7PM

Carmichael's
2720 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY
896-6950

Some Sundays I love Kenny Mayne and his NFL Countdown segments. Some Sundays I don't. Mostly my Sunday mood depends on how well my beloved Titans are doing and are predicted to do on any given Sunday. Kenny Mayne can't be faulted for that. In any case Kenny Mayne will be at Carmichael's Frankfort Avenue store on Thursday May 1 to discuss and sign his new book.

ESPN horse racing commentator, host of the hilarious "Mayne Event" segments on NFL Countdown and all-around funny guy Kenny Mayne will join us for a talk and signing for his new book, An Incomplete and Inaccurate History of Sport. He'll be in town for Derby, book promotion, and general revelry.

**This will be a ticketed event at Carmichael's, free tickets are available at both Carmichael's stores.

Carmichael's Books
2720 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY
896-6950

Since I'm not as tapped into the live music scene as some people here's a guest post from someone who is so very into live music: my aunt Ellen.

As a follow up to her sold out January house concert, Garrison Starr will be returning to Louisville on Friday, April 25 to play a public show at the KY BBQ Company. Local up-and-comers Amanda Lucas and Audrey Cecil will be opening.  Doors open at 8:00pm and the show begins at 9:00pm.  Tickets are $10 at the door.  Come early for dinner and stay for what is sure to be a great show!

KY BBQ Company
1800 Frankfort Ave. (the old Café Lou Lou)
Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 895-3419

http://www.myspace.com/audreycecil
http://www.myspace.com/garrisonstarr

 "Garrison Starr is a song writer, performer and recording artist with passion.  She doesn't live and breathe for the hit parade, she doesn't play fashion doll, she just writes and sings her heart out.  She knows what matters.   In the American Idolized landscape that constitues today's music business, she is someone to be thankful for..."
-Mary Chapin Carpenter

 "Garrison Starr's greatest gift is her gorgeous, full, rough, passionate voice that can be ultimately pensive, intimate, hurt, consoling, libidinous, or scornful - sometimes during the same verse.  Her raw phrasing would take Sarah McLachlan and Neko Case's lunch money"
-MSNBC

 
On Amanda Lucas and Audrey Cecil:

"What a fantastic addition Amanda and Audrey have been to the Louisville music scene. Both incredibly talented musicians in their own right, what they have found as a duo is truly special. With strong original songs filled with intricate harmonies and solid musicianship, they are an up-and-coming duo that is not to be missed. As a lover of great music, it's truly a luxury to have such a talented pair right here in my backyard. I expect great things for them!"

-Charters Harrison, founder of River City House Concerts

How is it possible that next Friday is the final Friday of March already? I do not know but it is and that means it's time for another Frankfort Avenue Trolley Hop.

Frankfort Avenue Trolley Hop
Friday March 28, 2008

Some highlights:

Sniper Photo Studio at the Mellwood Arts Center is having a sale

Mom's Music is presenting Kentuckiana's Fastest Drummer Qualifying & Live Music@Cafe Ole` 6-8pm

Elizabeth's Timeless Attire will be showing Vintage Derby Hats from 1930-1960

The Juggernaut Jug Band is celebrating the release of their new CD "You Mean We Get Paid For This?" by playing tonight and tomorrow night at Clifton's Pizza.

Friday, February 8th, 8:30 pm
Saturday, February 9th, 7:30 pm
Free admission

Clifton's Pizza
2230 Frankfort Ave
Louisville, KY 40206

The Louisville Film society is presenting a special screening of the documentary Mountaintop Removal.

"If you drink water or use electricity you're connected to Mountain Top Removal. Louisville Film Society invites the public to a special screening of this timely regional film followed by an open discussion with director Michael O'Connell and hosted by writer Erik Reese ( Lost Mountain) . This 74-minute feature documentary explores the costs of mountaintop removal coal mining on the people, mountains and culture of Southern Appalachia. Filmed over a two-year period, Mountain Top Removal chronicles citizen conservation groups as they oppose the coal industry and the effects of mountain top removal coal mining on their communities. You will not think coal is "cheap" after watching this film."

Jan 31, 2008 7 PM
Clifton Center
Admission: $10

I got a press release for an interesting sounding event at the American Printing House for the Blind.

WHO: The public is invited to join the staff of the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) and “Sound Prints” co-host Carla Ruschival.

WHAT: A celebration for Louis Braille's Birthday, National Braille Literacy month, and the 150th Anniversary of American Printing House for the Blind. Admission is free.

WHERE: Callahan Museum, American Printing House for the Blind, 1839 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, KY

WHEN: Saturday, January 5, 2008, 1:00pm -3:00pm (Reservation deadline is January 4, call 899-2365 for reservations.)

DETAILS: Louis Braille was born January 4, 1809 in France. American Printing House for the Blind was chartered January 23, 1858.

Come celebrate these two memorable birthdays with us at the Callahan Museum. Join the staff of the museum for cake, learn more about the life of Louis Braille, and see a demonstration of Braille books being read, as we celebrate literacy for people with vision loss.

Know what's on my agenda for tonight? Fighting crazies at the mall for some much needed clothes, then a trip to Frankfort Avenue to enjoy dinner at Zen Garden and then enjoy the FAT Friday Trolley Hop. Feel free to copy any of those plans for yourself.

Just a reminder that next Friday July 27 is a special day. It's the monthly Frankfort Avenue Trolley hop and it's my birthday. All that festiveness rolled into one day. Excellent.

Though I'm not technically a vegetarian I eat a vegetarian diet about 85% of the time. These diet choices of mine are mostly based on health issues but also social, economic and political issues relating to supporting agriculture as a viable career choice, opposing factory farming and being engaged in the local food movement. I say that so you'll understand that despite eating a vegetarian diet most of the time I really do enjoy eating meat. I want you to understand that so you'll know that when I tell you how good the food at Zen Garden is you'll know that I mean it's really that good and you won't tack on some lame "it's good for vegetarian food" kind of addendum in your head.

Zen Garden's menu is an inspired collection of vegetarian and vegan dishes that cuts a wide path through Asia's diverse culinary geography. From curries to hot and sour soup and crispy tofu to Vietnamese coffee and barbecued bean curd to egg rolls. There are those who are simply opposed to vegetarian food and those who are convinced that tofu is gross, I don't have the time nor the inclination to attempt convincing those people they're wrong. If you don't want to eat tofu bully for you. If you can't fathom a meal without meat, well ok then. For everyone else though you really can't go wrong starting your meal with a plate of Zen Garden's steamed dumplings followed up with the insanely good orange tofu which is served with bell peppers, water chestnuts, carrots and snap peas with white rice on the side.

Clifton Unitarian Church is presenting the First Annual Sustainability Fair on May 19. Some really cool vendors and displays are scheduled to be at this fair including

The Good Oil Boys will be at the fair with a converted diesel car that now runs on vegetable oil.. And they will talk about kits available for such conversions.

Ohio Valley Creative Energy will have a booth. They use methane gas from landfills to provide heat for glass, clay, and metal artists.

Sun Wind Power Systems will have a booth, displaying solar and wind energy systems.

Kentucky Solar Partnership will have a booth, and conduct a lecture/slide show on Solar Energy and Energy Conservation.