I don't know anything about Kate Buckley so I'm just going to give you the press release blurb:

Please join Carmichael's for a unique poetry reading by Kate Buckley from her new book, A Wild Region. Artist and poet Buckley grew up in Kentucky and her finely crafted poems strongly reflect her Appalachian roots. She is the winner of the Gabeheart Prize for Imaginative Writing and the North American Review's James Hearst Poetry Prize.

Carmichael's Bookstore

2720 Frankfort Avenue

Louisville, KY

(502) 896-6950

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

I don't know a single thing about this book other than the fact that it's got a great, great title. OK that's not quite true. I also know it's a book of poetry and that the author Sherry Wright will be reading at Carmichael's on Saturday April 19, 2008 at 4PM.

Carmichael's Bookstore
2720 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY

Carmichael's is celebrating the release of Sallie Bingham's new collection of stories with a reading and signing by the author on Sunday April 13, 2008 at 4PM. The collection, "Red Car", is published by Louisville press Sarabande Books

Carmichael's Bookstore
2720 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY

Seriously? Yes, seriously. On Thursday, April 17, 2008 you'll be able to combine your extreme love of Sweet Surrender's offerings with your desire to do good in our community. It's almost too good to be true.

Sweet Surrender Dessert Café will host "A Sweet Night: A Benefit for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society." From 6 PM to 10 PM, a sampling of desserts will be offered for $12 per person. A portion of the event's proceeds will be given to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Whole cakes and other prizes will be raffled off throughout the evening. Tickets for the raffle can be purchased for $1.00 each. All of the proceeds from the raffle will go directly to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Donations for raffle prizes are still being accepted.

In addition to great desserts and great prizes, great music will be played by Jason Hasch at 8 PM.

"The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a wonderful organization," said owner, Jessica Haskell. "They were a big help to me during my own battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I want to return the favor."

Haskell, age 29, is a three time survivor of Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Originally diagnosed in May of 2000, she battled through recurrences in 2003 and 2004. After undergoing chemo, radiation and a stem cell transplant, she has been cancer free for three years.

On Friday April 4, 2007 at 7PM Tony D'Souza will be at Carmichael's on Frankfort Avenue to read from his second novel The Konkans. From the release I got "D'Souza's first novel, Whiteman, was widely praised and won a prize for first fiction. The Konkans are a mostly Catholic ethnic group from West India. D'Souza's novel is set in suburban Chicago as a family confronts issues of race and class and struggles with embracing America while preserving their own cultural heritage. Please join us to hear this talented writer."

Carmichael's Bookstore
2720 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY

If mysteries are your thing this reading with mystery author Beverle Graves Myers sounds very cool.

Beverle Graves Myers premieres the fourth volume in her Baroque mystery series featuring opera singer and amateur sleuth Tito Amato with a reading from The Iron Tongue at Midnight. Each book in this celebrated series features a rich tapestry of opera in 18th century Venice, singers who sacrifice their manhood for their art, and a murder.

The Iron Tongue at Midnight reading with author Beverle Graves Myers
Saturday March 29, 2008
4PM

Carmichael's Bookstore
2720 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY

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

I don't know much, or anything really, about this work so I'm just going to quote Carmichael's directly about this event. I'll say that it certainly sounds like it will be a very interesting talk.

Local architect and historian Steve Wiser will give a talk based on his new book, Louisville 2035, a look at our city's past and present and a fascinating vision for what it might look like 25 years from now. Wiser is a nationally recognized architect, past president of the Louisville Historical League, and author of four books.

Louisville 2035 discussion with author Steve Wiser
Saturday March 22, 2008
4PM

Carmichael's Bookstore
2720 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY

My back yard is a weird hilly thing with small part getting too much direct sun while the rest of it gets hardly any direct  sun. In other words my dreams a of a beautiful backyard garden have been shattered by my current yard. But my patio? My patio is perfect for a container garden and I can't wait to start planting. I've already got a book on the subject but a little person to person information is always helpful so I'm hoping to make it to Just Creations this Saturday March 15, 2008 for their free Container Gardening Event with Jeneen Wiche from 1:00-3:00PM. Hopefully she's going to teach me everything I need to know to turn my patio into container garden central.

Just Creations
2722 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY

Recovering "Yiddishland" is a heck of a title for a book. It certainly grabs my attention. Said book was written by Merle Bachman, professor of English at Spalding University. Bachman will be discussing the book at Carmichael's on Frankfort Avenue on Sunday March 16, 2008. A brief description from Carmichael's:

Recovering "Yiddishland", a recently published look at literary works by Yiddish immigrant writers at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries. Bachman's book demonstrates how reading these works can deepen our understanding of what becoming American really meant to generations of immigrants who came to the U.S. in this historically
rich era.

Recovering "Yiddishland" discussion with author Merle Bachman
Sunday March 16, 2008
4PM

Carmichael's Bookstore
2720 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY

Friday February 29, 2008 is the February edition of the Frankfort Avenue Trolley Hop. Highlights of this week's Hop including paintings of Ireland by Spike Frederick at Crescent Hill Gallery, a sale at Sniper Photography at the Mellwood Arts Center and live music from Michael Ray at Margaret's Consignment and Collectibles.

Just an fyi that the reception at Carmichael's for Will Lavender's book Obedience has been rescheduled due to the crazy weather today. Instead of being tonight the reception will be Sunday February 24, 2008 at 4:00PM at Carmichael's on Frankfort Avenue. 

On Sunday February 17, 3008 Carmichael's Bookstore on Frankfort Avenue will welcome Chris Bohjalian who is on tour for the paperback edition of his latest book, The Double Bind.

The Double Bind has been on my "to read" list since I read a very positive review when the hardcover edition came out but I still haven't picked up a copy yet. This may very well be the time to do it. And in case you care about her opinions in such matters Oprah is a fan of Bohjalian.

Charmichael's Books
2720 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY

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

Will Lavender is a local author whose first novel, Obedience, is set to be released on February 19, 2008. 

Obedience is described as a psychological thriller. I've got to say that's not normally a genre I read a lot of but the blurbs for the book and Lavender's status as a Louisville writer definitely makes me want to give it a read. If you're interested in psychological thrillers or supporting local authors I encourage you to buy a copy as well. We'll meet back here and discuss it ok?

On Thursday February 21, 2008 at 7PM Carmichael's will be hosting a reading and reception for Lavender at the Frankfort Avenue store. I hope there is a huge turnout to support the debut novel by one of our city's writers.

Carmichael's Bookstore
2720 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY

I love Sweet Surrender, I really, really do. I also love that they're offering a special gift box of chocolates for Valentine's Day. I mean, if you're going to buy into the notion of purchasing chocolates for Valentine's Day you should be able to buy really good chocolates and I trust that anything coming from Sweet Surrender is going to be really good. But I'm just too much of a prude to want to see anything that contains "Chocolate Champagne Body Ganache with a Confectioner's Brush." So I'm just going to pretend I didn't see that part of the press release and we'll all just move on and never speak of that item again.

Brimming with decadent delights, this gift box generously provides enough tantalizing chocolate treats to satisfy even the most enthusiastic of chocolate lovers (and still includes enough to share with a partner).

This grown-up gift has the potential to provide hours of indulgence and entertainment. It includes:

• Succulent Chocolate Cherries
• Gold Dusted Bourbon Truffle Tortes
• Caramel Brownies
• Chocolate Chip Heart Cookies
• Chocolate Champagne Body Ganache with a Confectioner's Brush

Orders for the Chocolate is for Lovers Gift Box must be placed 48 hours in advance as the desserts included in the box are all baked fresh to order and assembled with all the love and care that any Valentine's Day gift requires.

Chocolate dipped strawberries, personalized heart cookies and heart shaped cupcakes can also be added to the Chocolate is for Lovers Gift Box. Non-Chocolate Lovers can create their very own gift boxes as well.  

Heart-shaped Cakes are available in any flavor for less private Valentine's Day pleasures. 

The Chocolate is for Lovers Gift Box is $28.95. Call Sweet Surrender to reserve yours: (502) 899-2008

Sweet Surrender
1804 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY 40206

I shan't even pretend that there was even a possibility of me writing anything other than a full on lover letter to The Irish Rover. I make no false claims about being detached when writing about this place. I am so comfortable tucked into one of the Rover's booths in the bar that it's like a second home. When people ask me where to eat in Louisville and say they want something "comfortable" or "casual" or "not too fancy" or "has really good pub food" or any of about a dozen other code words The Irish Rover is where I tell them to go. Eight Friday nights out of ten will find me eating there, so in this case, perhaps more than any other, my money is most certainly where my mouth is. For me The Irish Rover is exactly what a pub should be: a warm, welcoming environment with outstanding food.

The first food you'll get at The Irish Rover will be a lovely basket filled with a mixture of Irish Soda bread and Sourdough bread. If you don't eat multiple pieces of both don't tell me because then I'll just have to consider you an odd sort who doesn't appreciate some of the finest carbohydrates known to humanity. If you're ordering an appetizer, and really you should, allow me to suggest the Cordon Bleu Fritters described on the menu as a "tasty mix of ham, chicken, and swiss, deep-fried in our famous batter". If you're not in the mood for deep fried goodness (there you go being odd again) then the Leek and Potato soup is an outstanding choice to start your meal.

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

We're coming up on the last Friday of the month, that means it's time for the Frankfort Avenue Trolley Hop. Proximity to Fat Tuesday (it's February 5) means this week's trolley hop must have a Mardi Gras theme.

The highlight of the theme is the Mardi Gras Ball at the Mellwood Art Center featuring food, drinks and lots of entertainment.

Other events include Tarot Card Reading at Crescent Hill Gallery, Mardi Gras Music at Margarets Consignment and Collectibles, Live jazz from the Jeff Sherman Band at Varanese and music and wine tasting at The Wine Rack.

This is just a reminder that The Snack Institute Art Collective's Small Bites $10 Art Show is coming up this Friday night. Yes, I said $10 art show. Original art at insanely affordable prices makes me really happy.

Small Bites: The Snack Institute $10 Art Show
Friday January 25, 2008
8:00PM

2900 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY

PBS is airing The Complete Jane Austen. The romantic fun got started last with Persuasion and will include Northanger Abbey on January 20; Mansfield Park, January 27; Miss Austen Regrets, February 3; Pride and Prejudice, February 10-24; Emma, March 23; Sense and Sensibility, March 30 and April 6. How exactly does this related to Louisville? So glad you asked. On Mondays* the local branch of the Jane Austen Society will meet at Carmichael's Bookstore on Frankfort Avenue to discuss the previous evening's Austen offering.

The local chapter of the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) will host discussion meetings at Carmichael's Bookstore, 2720 Frankfort Avenue the Monday night after each show airs* at 7 p.m.  Anyone interested is encouraged to attend.

For more information about the Greater Louisville Chapter of the Jane Austen Society of North America, contact Bonny Wise, Regional Coordinator.  Meetings and programs are held monthly at Historic Locust Grove.  Call  Locust Grove at 897-9845 or email wise@locustgrove.org.

*discussion meetings held AFTER LAST EPISODE with productions that air more than one night.

You know I love me some art and also I love good deals. So imagine how happy I was to see a flyer for The Snack Institute Art Collective's Small Bites $10 Art Show. 

Small Bites: The Snack Institute $10 Art Show
Friday January 25, 2008 8:00PM
2900 Frankfort Avenue

This Thursday January 10, 2008 at 7PM Carmichael's Books on Frankfort Avenue will be hosting author Andre Bergeron who will be reading from his new book, The Devil's Ridge.

According to Carmichael's "Bergeron uses the mythic quality of the North American great ape, Sasquatch, or Bigfoot, to craft a gripping page-turner that taps into our primal fears and basic instincts. Reminiscent of stories told around the campfire, The Devil's Ridge will make you wonder what is lurking in the shadows, just beyond the fire's light."

Carmichael's Bookstore
2720 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, Kentucky

Winter Angels by fiber artist Penny Sisto features over a dozen quilt portraits of "beings of light" and will be exhibited through January 26th at UzoMa Gallery.

UzoMa Gallery
1813 Frankfort Ave
502-895-9805
uzoma@sprynet.com
http://www.uzoma.org

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.

Don't want to cook on Christmas but also don't want to spend a tall stack of Yanqui dollars on dinner at one of the downtown hotels? Perhaps the Christmas buffet at Sweet Peas on Frankfort Avenue is just the ticket for you. There will be three seatings for dinner: 5PM, 6:30PM and 8:00. The buffet will have all of Sweet Peas usual Southern standards including a salad and dessert bar.

Definitely call for reservations, 894-9091.

Sweet Peas
2350 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY

via LouisvilleHotBytes forum

For their last in-store event of 2007 Carmichael's is hosting the authors of three very different books for signings. This Sunday December 17 from 2-4PM at the Frankfort Avenue store:

Photographer Bill Carner will sign copies of last December's most sought after book, Louisville Then and Now.

Randy West, editor and photographer for the Corydon Democrat, will sign copies of his book of photographs of the people and places of Harrison County, Indiana.

And last, but clearly not least, we'll have Culture Maven C.D. Kaplan, who will sign copies of his fabulously annotated and imminently practical calendar 2008 History Warp Day Planner.

Carmichael's Bookstore
2720 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY 40206
502-896-6950

Bourbons Bistro has two seatings with special menus for New Year's Eve. The first seating, at 7PM features a three course meal for $40 per person. The 9PM seating features a five course meal for $65 per person. Champagne toast at midnight and live music from 9PM-1AM cap the evening.

Call 502-894-8838 for reservations.

Bourbons Bistro
2255 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY

The Museum at American Printing House for the Blind presents Holiday Card Factory:

The winter holiday season can be a delight to the senses: the smell of evergreen trees and popcorn balls; the crackle of wrapping paper; the taste of family treats and the sounds of familiar holiday tunes. Make your holiday cards special, too. Bring the whole family and join us for a tactile holiday card-making activity. Call 899-2364 by December 7 to reserve your space. The event is free, but space is limited.

The American Printing House for the Blind, founded in 1858, is the oldest organization of its kind in the United States and the world's largest not-for-profit company that creates educational, workplace and life-style products and services for visually impaired people.

Saturday December 8, 2007

American Printing House for the Blind
1839 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY 40206

Friday December 7, the fourth night of Hanukkah, Brigid Kaelin takes over Gerstle's. The Muckrakers are playing around 10:00, Brigid Kaelin will be sitting in and playing a few songs with them. Later her full band, The Brigid Kaelin Show, will take the stage.  I've heard that Kaelin is "bringing out all the stops ... accordions, pianos, musical saws, yodeling, and guitars." Given how fun and festive Kaelin's county Chanukah tunes are I've no doubt this event will be a very good time. If you ask sweetly I'm sure she'll even teach you how to play dreidel.

Brigid Kaelin & The Muckrackers
Saturday December 7, 2007
$5 cover

Gerstle's
3801 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY 40207

Want to get that shopping rush and that "doing good for the community" rush at the same time? I knew you did.

Then head to Just Creations on Monday December 3 for Community Shopping Night from 6:00-8:00PM. You'll find an amazing assortment of Fair Trade products. You can knock gifts of your holiday lists and your dollars can help people all over the world and locally as well. 15% of the sales will that evening will go to La Casita Center.

La Casita Center strives to enhance overall well-being for members of Hispanic Latino families and the communities in which they dwell. This is accomplished through provision of educational services and cross-cultural experiences; the development of collaborations with community services; and the fostering of networks among individuals and families in the community.

Just Creations
2722 Frankfort Ave
Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 897-7319

For more information about
La Casita Center please call
Maria Scharfenberger 439-9459

The weekend events roundup is coming to you quite early this week to give us time to strategically plan out our holiday activities around stuffing ourselves enjoying holiday foods with restraint.

Friday November 23
Costumed demonstrators will be in the kitchen and woodshop from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m during the the Locust Grove Holiday Sampler. Everything in the museum store will be 20% so you can stock up on gifts.

The F.A.T. Friday Trolley Hop on Black Friday is an event I've been looking forward to for months. It combines food, drink, art and shopping, all things that I enjoy very much. I'm strategically planning to land on Frankfort Avenue mid afternoon. Do a bit of hopping and shopping, refuel at the Irish Rover for dinner and then even more shopping. I suspect dessert at Sweet Surrender will be on the agenda as well.

After you're done on Frankfort Avenue just drive on down to Mellwood for more art and more shopping at the Butchertown Market with Moxie Letterpress's Give the Gift of Art event. If you're there close to 8PM stick around for the poetry reading and live music.

If you can't stand the shopping hordes and nightmare of parking on Frankfort Avenue head over to Quills Coffee & Books where Janet L. Boyd will be reading from and signing Don't Get Me Started: The LEO Years at 6 PM.

Saturday November 24, 2007
The American Printing House for the Blind is hosting a Family Day Open House from 10AM-3PM.

Author and architect Liesl Geiger will be at Carmichael's on Frankfort Avenue discussing and signing her new book Essence of Home: Timeless Elements of Design.

Midnight at The Baxter is forcing you to choose between The Beatles in "A Hard Days Night" and Talking Heads in "Stop Making Sense"

Sunday November 25, 2007
Phyllis EagleTree will be at Carmichael's on Frankfort Avenue discussing her new book Roll The Wheel: The Abundant Life and Wisdom of Mae Phillips.

Derby City Espresso is giving you free music and free beer. Clearly they're good people. Join them for a tasting of three seasonal beers from Schlafly.

If you know of interesting events happening this weekend that I've missed please let me know and I'll add them to the list. You can let me know by leaving a comment her or by sending an email to: info AT consuminglouisville.com.

World Communities of Louisville presents the 2007 International Holiday Bazaar

• Approximately 35 international craft vendors and artists selling their goods in time for holiday gift giving
• A dozen international restaurants and food vendors serving ethnic cuisine and beverages
• International musicians and dancers providing entertainment
• Children’s activities.

Saturday, December 1^st
9:00am – 4:00pm

The Clifton Center
2117 Payne Street
Louisville, KY

This event is part of the Frankfort Avenue Business Association's Olde Tyme Christmas

Thanksgiving weekend is turning out to be full of opportunities for literary enjoyment and merry making. On Friday you've got Janet L. Boyd reading at Quills and poet Jeffrey Skinner reading at Moxie Letterpress and there are two events over the weekend at Carmichael's on Frankfort Avenue. On Saturday author and architect Liesl Geiger will be at discussing and signing her new book Essence of Home: Timeless Elements of Design.

According to Carmichael's "The book combines insightful interviews with architects and detailed photographs of more than 50 homes to illustrate the concepts she describes. Just in time for the holidays, this book is the perfect gift for anyone who is building a home or just dreaming of it."

On Sunday join "Phyllis EagleTree to celebrate the publication of her beautiful new book, Roll the Wheel: The Abundant Life and Wisdom of Mae Phillips.

In short essays and vivid photographs, EagleTree captures the richness and depth of the life of Harlan County native Mae Phillips - a life lived simply but fully in the mountains of eastern Kentucky."

Liesl Geiger Saturday November 24, 4PM
Phyllis EagleTree Sunday November 25, 4PM

Carmichael's Bookstore
2720 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY 40206

The Frankfort Avenue Business Association's Olde Tyme Christmas on Frankfort Ave., will be held Saturday, December 1, 2007. Enjoy annual events, including the Santa Sprint Run and Stroll, Dog Walk, Horse Trams and Trolley service, along with Good Neighbor awards as well as various special events.

Enjoy special sales and exhibits, holiday refreshments, free trolley rides and horse and carriage rides up and down Frankfort Avenue - from Mellwood to Cannons Lane. Santa can usually be found at the Water Company ready to talk with children

For my money the highlight of the Olde Tyme Christmas is the Holiday Dog Walk: "Meet at the Crescent Hill Library Parking Lot at 10AM, Walk to Clifton and Frankfort and return back to Frankfort Ave. to the Library. Prizes for the most festive dog!" Call 585-3430 for more information. Yeah, I'm one of those crazy dog people.

On Wednesday (yep, the day before Thanksgiving) Zen Garden is having a special customer appreciation day. On this day your meal is absolutely free. You do however have the option of making a donation, in the amount of your choice, to charity.

The total donations collected will be shared by three charities, one of which has been chosen already by Zen Garden. The other two will be chosen by popular vote.

So on the day before most of us stuff ourselves to the gills with turkey and all the trimmings enjoy a fantastic vegetarian meal, donate some money and cast your ballot for which deserving charities reap those donations.

Zen Garden Customer Appreciation Day
Wednesday November 21, 2007
11AM-10PM

Zen Garden
2240 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY

(The dish in the photograph is the very, very highly recommended orange tofu)

Yeah, yeah, yeah the day after Thanksgiving is Black Friday alright but it's also an ext