If you like Bluegrass Music, and I can't imagine that you don't, then Forest Fest at Jefferson Memorial Forest should be on your radar. For $1 per vehicle, not even per person, you get a day of great activities and music, including Dr. Ralph Stanley. That's a deal people, a serious deal.

Come out for a great day filled with Bluegrass Music, wood crafters and fun activities for the entire family. This free family oriented festival is set to become the premier bluegrass festival for Jefferson County.

The fourth Forest Fest will be bigger and better than ever with the addition of Bluegrass music legend, Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys. This year's line up also includes Stone Hollow, Dozens of Dollars, Bluegrass 101, and Kentucky Sassafras.

2008 continues the tried and true formula of honoring Fairdale's rich bluegrass tradition, highlighting new up and coming bands and introducing them to new audiences and bringing in some of the best Bluegrass musicians from around the region.

Fee: $1 per vehicle

Saturday May 17, 2008
11AM-7PM

Jefferson Memorial Forest
11311 Mitchell Hill Road
Fairdale, KY 40118
502/368-5404
email: forest@louisvilleky.gov

Update: In woefully unpleasant news I have to tell you that Raiders of the Lost Ark won't be shown in the park. For some reason, since I wrote about this, the movie that will be shown at this event has been changed from Raiders of the Lost Ark to Goonies.

I am so excited for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull which is coming out in late May. So excited. I don't care if he's old, I don't care if fanboys hate George Lucas for "destroying Star Wars", I don't care if most of Steven Spielberg's recent movies have sucked. I care about none of that. I can about the fact that Indiana Jones kicks ass. That being said I'm pleased to tell you that you can head out to EP Tom Sawyer Park next Saturday night to watch Raiders of the Lost Arc under the stars. It's the first in what is hoped to be a series of Movie Night under the Stars and Picnic in the Park at EP Tom Sawyer State Park.

The event last from 7PM-Midnight with some other activities thrown in but the only important part is that Raiders of the Lost Arc starts at 8:45. OK fine, another important part is that the event is a benefit for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Jo Self and Bon Vivant Savant presents the first of - and hopefully many - Movie Night under the Stars and Picnic in the Park at EP Tom Sawyer State Park, Saturday, May 10 from 7:00pm-Midnight. This family fun event will feature the original Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark, which begins @ 8:45 as well inflatable jumpies, the Chick-fil-A Cow and complimentary Chick-fil-A chicken, $1 popcorn and cotton candy machines, music prior to movie and some good ole fashioned fun!

Event Line-Up:
7:00pm-8:00pm-BabyFishMouth performs
8:00pm-8:45pm Announcements and Introduction of Boy and Girl of the Year
8:45: "Raiders of the Lost Ark" begins

EP Tom Sawyer State Park offers plenty of ample parking and bathrooms. The event will be held right by the pool and main parking entrance. Coolers are welcomed but no alcohol allowe.

Admission/Donation:
Children under 12-$5
Adults-$10

ALL Money raised will go towards the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

Raiders of the Lost Arc trailer after the jump.

Pre-school kids are having all the fun these days. This time they get to mess around with tadpoles and dragonfly nymphs. All before snack time.

Discover with your child the amazing creatures that live in a pond from tadpoles to dragonfly nymphs. Using a net and a bucket collect a variety of animals from the pond and view them under a magnifying glass. Dress to get messy.

This program is for parents and children ages 3-5. There will be a story-time with crafts and snacks.

Meets in the Horine Environmental Center.

Reservations are required in advance.

Fee: $8 per child

Saturday May 10, 2008

Jefferson Memorial Forest
11311 Mitchell Hill Road
Fairdale, KY 40118
502/368-5404
forest@louisvilleky.gov

It's not often that I get to use the word Hootenanny and that's a sure shame. Thanksfull the folks from Mighty Kindness helped me out by calling their Earth Day celebration a hootenanny. Details:

Mighty Kindness invites you to their first annual Earth Day Hootenanny on Saturday, April 19th at Willow Park in the Highlands from 12-6pm. Together with Community Farm Alliance,Rainbow Blossom, Louisville Independent Business Alliance (LIBA), Sustain Kids, and Heine Bros.Coffee,the Mighty Kindness Earth Day Hootenanny is a free celebration for the whole community featuring the Art of Earth Performance Stage, a Kid's Tent, a Free School workshop & education area. There will also be an assortment of individuals representing their organizations such as Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, Campaign for a Dept. of Peace, Cultivating Connections, Amazing Grace Wholefoods, and many other Earth-friendly groups, local green businesses, alternative healers, local farmers, peace and social justice organizations.

The Art in Earth Performance Stage will feature the music of Leigh Ann Yost, Teneia Sanders, John Gage, Tamara Dearing,Troubadours of Divine Bliss, Kentucky Bootleggers, Acoustic Tomato and Fool's Crow. You can also experiencethe magical movement of the Earth Mamas Dance Co. and workshops by Salsa Rueda & Playback Theatre.

The Mighty KIDness tent will be host to Divinity Rose's "Kid's Open Stage & Storytelling", John Gage's workshop on music for the whole family, flower planting and finger knitting with the Waldorf School, face painting and other children's activities.

The Free School will be offering educational workshops on a wide variety of environmental and community interests. Some workshops and talks will be on community gardens, composting, raw foods, homemade green cleaners, mountaintop removal, eco-landscaping as well as peace & social justice interests.

There will be free gifts abound including books and give-aways from local businesses. Bring the whole family and pack a picnic for there will not be refreshments in order to keep it a "Money-Free Festivity!".

Mighty Kindness is a local community unity organization and online resource that seeks to bring together all things in our eco-region that create a circle of sustainability and contribute to our common wealth. Please visit www.mightykindness.org to find resources for local farms, community services, local green businesses, peace & social justice groups, alternative medicine and healing, spirituality, environmental organizations and meet like-minded souls in the Mighty Kind Community.

Join us in honoring the Earth on Saturday, April 19th at Willow Park. Come enjoy inspiring local performers, witness the wonder of our mighty kids being educated and entertained, discover Community services that you never knew existed, find out about products provided by your neighbors that are good for you and eco-friendly, and meet local farmers & get fresh produce delivered to your door. Come hobknob with the heart of our commonwealth - where earth-advocates, peaceful warriors, union members, social justice workers, eco-conscious business people, artists, healers, dreamers, heroes & heroines all come together to create a community with vision, beauty, wholeness, and a healthy respect for our beloved Earth!

The week of April 6-13, 2008 the Louisville Zoo will be celebrating spring, and the environment I guess.

Copied directly from the link:

Celebrate the Earth and find out what you can do to help save our planet!

Over 30 exhibitors will be on hand with environmental information, games, crafts and more.

Visit the Party for the Planet: Party Zone on the front plaza where you can learn how to become a Backyard Action Hero, play cool environmental games

Other link:

Help us kick-off Spring!  Bring the whole family out for a fun-filled Zoo visit.  See what's new and blooming at the Zoo plus enjoy a variety of planet-friendly activities that will take place throughout the week.

Yeah, I'm square, I think kites are cool. Sue me.

April is National Kite Month and we here at E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park want to kick it off right, so on March 29th we will again be hosting our annual Kite Day.

There will be a "Fun Fly" where you can show off your own kite flying skills and there will also be other various kite-centered contests and a professional kite-flying demonstration.

There is no cost for this event and the first 40 participants will receive a free kite.

Saturday, March 29, 2008
Noon-3PM

E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park
3000 Freys Hill Road
Louisville, KY 40241

Saturday March 22, 2008 the Easter bunny will bringing it to E.P. Tom Sawyer Park and by "it" I mean over 10,000 freaking Easter eggs.

The Easter bunny will make an appearance around 12:30 p.m. 

Over 10,000 candy filled eggs will be hidden for children ages 1 to 10 years old.

Sections will be divided up for each age group, with 2,500 eggs in each section. Prize eggs will have a ticket inside which can be redeemed for one of several different prizes. 

The egg hunt will begin at 1 p.m. for 2 years of age and under; 1:10 p.m. for 3-4 year olds; 1:20 for 5-7 year olds; and 1:30 for the 8-10 year olds.

This is a fun free event for the entire family.

Continuing their theme of "very cool things for kids to do in nature" Jefferson Memorial Forest is presenting Pre-School Nature Adventures: A Walk in the Night Forest on Friday March 14, 2008 from 7:00PM-9:30PM.

Nighttime is an incredible time to explore the forest. Nocturnal animals become active. It is a time when your own senses become heightened as well. This program offers fun activities that demonstrate how nocturnal animals use their special adaptations for nighttime survival. For parents and children ages 5 and up. Meets in the Horine Reservation. Reservations are required in advance. Fee: $5

Jefferson Memorial Forest
11311 Mitchell Hill Road
Fairdale, KY 40118
502-368-5404
forest@louisvilleky.gov

You know I'm a namby tree hugger so it should come as no surprise that I'm ambivalent about zoos. I love being able to see magnificent animals with my own eyes but I hate putting animals in conditions that are artificial, particularly when these artificial environments are, at least in theory, harmful to the animals. When talking about being a flexitarian I say that I want the chicken or cow that I eventually eat to have lived a chicken's life or a cow's life, not an artificially captive and fed life of a feedlot animal. This same concept holds for animals that aren't part of the American food chain as well, including zoo animals. I want elephants to be able to live like elephants naturally want to live and they simply cannot do that in zoos. Most of my zoo ambivalence in fact stems from my love of elephants. I cannot fully explain why but I adore elephants.

This love of elephants makes me deeply torn over celebrating the Louisville Zoo's baby elephant Scotty. On the one hand he is an absolutely adorable baby elephant, what's not to love and celebrate? On the other hand Scotty will probably never be able to roam the estimated 35km a day like elephants in the wild do. The relatively sedentary nature of his life in the zoo is very different than the life he would lead in the wild. Thinking about this vexes me. Obviously it's a situation with absolutely no easy answers.

I haven't been to a zoo in a few years and I can't say if/when I'll return even though it's an easy walk to the Louisville Zoo from my house (in fact I walk past it quite frequently). What I can say though is that I'm an enthusiastic supporter of The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. I've donated money to the Sanctuary and hope to one day volunteer there. If you're unfamiliar with The Elephant Sanctuary I advise you to spend sometime exploring the website and various news articles related to it. In a nutshell The Elephant Sanctuary is a 2700 acre plot of land that the resident elephants have pretty free reign over. They roam the hills and valleys at will, play in the ponds, develop social bonds and hierarchies with other elephants as they would in the wild. The Sanctuary staff attends to the elephants' food and medical needs but other than that pretty much leaves them be. Since these elephants, many rescued from bad zoo situations or circuses, cannot be returned to the wild this is, in my opinion, the very best thing for them.

All that being said the Louisville Zoo is celebrating their resident baby elephant's birthday with a massive party on March 15, 2008. For the party zoo admission is $1 or free if you're a zoo member, and TARC will be providing free rides to the zoo from various spots around town.

Jefferson Memorial Forest has an abundance of affordable, kid friendly outdoor adventures scheduled this spring including Spring Awakenings on Saturday March 8, 2008 from 9:30AM-11:30AM.

Bring your little ones out to explore the wonder and beauty of nature as spring appears. We'll listen and look for signs of the forest waking up after the long winter. Includes a short hike where you will discover and meet some of the animals that call the Forest home.

There will be a story-time with crafts and snacks.

This program is for parents and their children ages 3 to 5. Meets at the Horine Reservation.

Reservations are required in advance.
Fee: $8

In case you miss this session March 8 there is a second session scheduled for Tuesday March 11, 2008 also from 9:30AM-11:30AM.

Jefferson Memorial Forest
11311 Mitchell Hill Road
Fairdale, KY 40118
502-368-5404
forest@louisvilleky.gov

This sounds like my kind of charity event. Spend a little money to do some good for the community and get gourmet hot chocolate and complimentary hors d'oeuvres (including Hot Brown bites). I'm not finding any negatives in that description. Also, it's a family friendly way to spend Fat Tuesday. That's happy making right?

Shake off the winter chill and celebrate Mardi Gras at The Brown Hotel on Fat Tuesday, February 5, 2008 from 6 to 8 p.m. for the 4^th Annual Hot Chocolate Celebration. The whole family can enjoy a variety of gourmet hot chocolate and hors d'oeuvres created by The Brown Hotel's executive chef Laurent Géroli and his culinary team in the lobby of the historic hotel. The cost of each cup of hot chocolate is $5 and includes a set of Mardi Gras beads. All of the proceeds will directly benefit The Home of the Innocents and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).

This year's selection of chocolate refreshments includes something exotic, a taste of white chocolate and something fruity. Spanish Chocolate Amore, featuring the sweet and spicy flavor of cumin, red pepper and honey cinnamon, will be available along with White Hot Chocolate, an almond-flavored drink with bourbon chocolate shaving. Make sure to try the Soy Milk Hot Chocolate too. Guests will be able to balance the sweet treats with savory delights, as complimentary tastes of the legendary Hot Brown will be available along with other hors d'oeuvres.

Yeah, that White Hot Chocolate with almond-flavor and bourbon chocolate shavings? I'm so all over that. I'm terribly pleased though that our vegan friends will not be left out in the cold. Way to represent with the Soy Milk Hot Chocolate Chef Géroli. Strong work. 

Saturday February 2, 2008 bundle up for some winter fun in the great outdoors at Jefferson Memorial Forest and learn some useful skills while you're at it.

Get lost...then learn the skills that will help you find your way back to your campsite! Our staff will show you the basics of orienteering and planning a path that will get you to your destination.

A great activity for parents and kids ages 10 and up. Please dress for the weather.

Meets in the Horine parking lot.

Reservations are required in advance.

February 2, 2008
9:00AM-12:30PM
Fee: $5 per person

Jefferson Memorial Forest
11311 Mitchell Hill Road
Fairdale, KY 40118
502-368-5404
forest@louisvilleky.gov

The 930 is just turning into the art and music spot in town isn't it? The latest step toward art world domination is Watercolor Painting Workshop for kids that is absolutely free this Saturday January 12, 2008.

This watercolor painting workshop for kids ages 4-12 will explore the landscapes of their imaginations. Children under 4 are welcome to come also, provided that a parent or guardian stays with them. All supplies will be provided.

This workshop will be taught by Tessa Janes and Katherine Valentine. Time together will also include a snack and some time to play in the gym and playground.

Register by emailing michael@the930.org and please include the names and ages of the children attending.

Saturday January 12, 2008. 2-6p.m.

The 930 Center
930 Mary St.
Louisville, KY 40204

If you're actually older than 12 and want to participate in an art workshop don't forget the about the Experimenting with Cyanotype workshop at The 930 on January 12, 2008.

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.

Ray's Monkey House and Kids Cafe is bringing the open mic concept to the PlaySkool set. And oh yeah, there is one for adults too.

Thursdays: Adults Open Heart Purgery: (starting January 3, 2008)
Every Thursday: an acoustic open stage for adults to share their talent and open heart with us, whether with music, storytelling, jokes, poetry, or just unloading some thoughts, take the spotlight and open your heart to us. Make it fun!

Fridays: The Kiddie Carnival: (starting December 28)
Every Friday: A chance for kids to shine like they're born to do. This acoustic open stage for kids gives kids a chance to get up and express themselves (music, jokes, stories,show, share their week, and tell of a favorite item, what can you offer as a gift to us?), experience an open jam atmosphere, get to know others, and be commended and praised for being themselves. There's also performances by special guests for the kids.

Ray's Monkey House and Kids Cafe
1578 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40205

On Thursday January 3, 2008 Mary T. Meagher Aquatic Center & Radio Disney Presents a Dive –In- Movie

First show is Ratatoullie at 1:15.
Doors open at noon for Pre-show activities (12:15 – 1:15) with Radio Disney
 
Second Show is Cars at 7:00.
Doors open at 6:30

Tame those holiday blahs and have some family fun – dive in and watch a favorite movie for free! Bring your float, swimsuit and towel, because we’re gonna get wet.

Swimmers 8 and under must be with a chaperone of at least 18.

Forget the babysitter, pack up the kids & grandkids and come downtown for a free, fun-filled, family-oriented New Year's Eve Party!

FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Kids under 18, must be accompanied by an adult.

Free activities including crafts, inflatables & a rock climbing wall!

GIANT BALLOON DROP AT MIDNIGHT!
Refreshments available for purchase.

Louisville Gardens
525 West Muhammad Ali Blvd.
Louisville, KY

Squallis Puppeteers will present Shadow Solstice, a celebration of the shortest night of the year. This show brings together Squallis collaborators, their memories, and experiments combining shadows and music. These shows range from commemorations of some dearly departed puppeteers to Shakespeare in Shadow where one woman animates her way through many texts. After the program, the audience is invited to make some of your own shadows. The event will take place at the Shark Tank Theater on the third floor of 414 Baxter Avenue, at the corner of Baxter Ave. and Lexington Road in Louisville.

Tickets are $5 for all ages and are available at the door.

Please call 502-540-4977, visit their website or email squallispuppeteers@yahoo.com for more information.

This Saturday December 8 and next Saturday December 15, 2007 Rauch Planetarium at the University of Louisville is throwing a holiday family party complete with frickin' lasers holiday laser light shows, refreshments, activities for all ages and "general merriment."

Party hours are from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with shows beginning hourly.

Admission: $7 adults, $5 children

Gheens Science Hall & Rauch Planetarium
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY

Come join Douglass Community Center for a great Holiday time. Enjoy a continental breakfast, Color sheets, craft, and a visit from Santa! (Bring a camera)

Reservations are encouraged but not required.

Fee: $3
Saturday December 8, 2007
9:30AM-11AM

Douglass Community Center
2305 Douglass Blvd., 40205
502/456-8120

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

Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church proudly presents the 17th annual WinterFair!, a festival of fine art and very fine crafts. WinterFair! is the perfect place to find unique fine art for your home and special gifts for special people. This year’s festival features over seventy (70) juried artists, who create jewelry, pottery, stained glass, photography, prints, paintings, textiles, wearable art, and more. It’s the perfect place to find uncommon gifts at all price points – just in time for the holiday giving season.

WinterFair! celebrates the ideals of community, diversity, and social responsibility.

• Artists donate original works to an on-site artists’ raffle, which supports a different charity each year. 2007 proceeds go to Creative Diversity Studio, a nonprofit organization for the training and advancement of differently-abled artists, and the inclusion of those artists in the cultural community. Over 70 fine art items will be raffled this year – for an incredible $1 per chance!
• The festival and the church are committed to green practices. New in 2007, we will recognize Green Artists who practice “Reduce-Reuse-Recycle.” either in their art or their business. They may create with items that would otherwise end up in a landfill, among other green recycling practices.

WinterFair! is NOT your mother’s Holiday/Christmas bazaar.

• It has developed a reputation for its hand-made, unique, high-quality art -- Jewelry, Pottery, Stained Glass, Photography, Painting, Wood, and Wearable Art + other media. No mass-produced or mass-marketed items.
• Very little of the art is Christmas- or Holiday-themed.

Festival hours: 3-9 PM on Friday, November 30 and 10-6 PM on Saturday, December 1, 2007.

The entire festival is free and family-friendly

Vegetarian food will be available, plus hearty soups, chili, and fabulous desserts!

Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church
4936 Brownsboro Road
Louisville, KY

We enjoy a good theme here at Consuming Louisville so let's continue with the animals and Santa Claus theme.

Your anti-social cat totally wants to sit on Santa's lap. Trust me on this one.

On the first 3 Saturdays and Sundays in December hit any of the 12 area Feeders Supply stores and get your puppy or kitty's picture taken with Santa (though I swear one year I saw a guy having his snake's picture taken).

Have kids? Celebrate Christmas? Then get thee to the Louisville Zoo website to order tickets for the quickly selling out Pancakes Paws and Santa Claus event that takes place December 8-9, 15-16, 22-23.

The growls and squawks of the animals will give way to jingle bells and ho, ho, hos at the Louisville Zoo this holiday season. Join Santa Claus and his elves for a yummy pancake meal, crafts for kids and visits from Zoo animals like mistletoe the reindeer.  Your special ticket also includes a photo of your child and Santa plus all-day Zoo admission. Your meal will include yummy pancakes with fruit toppings, scrambled eggs, sausage and fried potatoes, plus Krispy Kreme donuts, assorted juices and coffee too. Make life-long memories when you bring the whole family to this wonderful holiday event!

Seating will be available in the beautiful Gheens Room in the Islands Pavilion at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Seating will be available in the African Outpost at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Please be aware that sessions fill quickly. We regret that we cannot offer “rain checks” for this event.