I don't have a lot of specifics, hopefully they'll get them to me soon, but word is Rainbow Blossom at Gardiner is set to open on Monday, July 6. I was supposed to get in there and photograph the new shop a bit before it opened but I couldn't work it out with starting the new job. Sorry for that guys, but hopefully I'll make it up to you soon. In any case I am so happy to have Rainbow Blossom in my neighborhood. As soon as I get any grand opening details I'll update this post to let you know them. 

Sunday April 19 from 12PM-4PM it's Customer Appreciation Day at Rainbow Blossom. They'll be gifts, sales, samples and complimentary chair massages. That sounds like a good way to spend a Sunday afternoon to me.

Rainbow Blossom (St. Matthews)
3738 Lexington Rd.
Louisville, KY

As you know WHY Louisville is moving down Bardstown road a block or so. To celebrate they're having a grand re-opening or as they call it a "Grand Re-Awesomeing. I don't really know what kind of specifics they're planning for this event but with a title like "Grand Re-Awesomeing" and the fact that it's being brought to you by the WHY folks I feel confident saying it's going to pretty much rock.

Saturday April 4, 2009
11AM-8PM

WHY Louisville
1538 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY

Business First broke the news of the WHY Louisville store expanding in a major way.

Why Louisville, a shop that sells locally designed T-shirts, gifts and other Louisville-themed memorabilia, is relocating and adding an art gallery.

The store, currently located in a 300-square-foot leased space at 1609 1/2 Bards­town Road, is moving to a 2,000-square-foot leased space at 1583 Bardstown Road.

Its last day at the old location will be Monday, March 30. It will open at the new location on Wednesday, April 1, said store owner Will Russell.

In addition to T-shirts, the new store will begin carrying Louisville-themed jewelry, books, magazines, paper goods, home decor, toys and knick-knacks.

I haven't checked out the new address yet but B was in WHY Louisville this weekend and they said the new location is next door to Doo Wop Shop.

New location:
WHY Louisville
1583 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY

A walk down Bardstown Road led me to snap this bad iPhone snapshot of a sign in the window of the former location of The Makery (1612 Bardstown Road). In case you can't read it from the glare is says:

Coming Soon
Vintage Jewelry
Art
Unique Gifts
from Around the World

Sounds good to me.

I offhandedly mentioned back in January that the store formerly known as Sustain Kids was now just Sustain. That change is becoming all official and such with a grand opening next Saturday March 21, 2009.

I've actually been back to Sustain several times since I wrote about buying cards at the shop back in January. Actually a couple of B's birthday presents and her birthday cards came from Sustain. And did I mention we bought a gigantic black monster composter there? Well we did. We are a composting family now.

Sustain's Grand Opening celebration will be on Saturday March 21 from 10am-8pm. There will be seminars and presentations throughout the day about sustainable practices, live music, performances, free refreshments

• Green Cleaning 12:00pm
• Water Conservation 12:30pm
• Greening your Party (this is presented by our friends at Ecosteward) 1:00pm
• Sustainable World 1:30pm
• Composting (from Whole Life Co-op) 2:00pm
• Sourcing Local Food (Grasshoppers) 2:30pm
• YERT (Highlights YERT) 3:00pm
• Flow (The Green Building) 4:00pm
• Jazz Trio Performs 5:00pm
• Happy Hour 4:00pm
• Kids Events All day

Visitors can enter to win various prizes including a $500 shopping spree to Sustain. They can also enter to win a Vers iPod speaker system, which will be given away on Earth Day, April 22.

Sustain is dedicated to providing the resources necessary for families and individuals to live more sustainably in today's world. Through sales, education and community outreach they aim to connect consumers with products that enhance quality of life while reducing adverse effects on the environment and its limited resources.

By offering organic and fair trade cotton, soy and bamboo clothing, sustainably produced household goods, natural personal care products, biodegradable cleaning products and a variety of locally sourced products, they're providing the resources necessary to make sustainable living easy.

Sustain Grand Opening
Saturday March 21, 2009
10AM-8PM

Sustain
Vogue Shopping Center
3724 Frankfort Avenue
502-897-8999.
Store hours: Monday through Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM.

I don't have a lot of details on this but this letterpressed flier is so swoon-worthy (even in the web form) I wanted to share it with you.

The Makery is having an opening this Friday night, February 13, 2009, for a show featuring the work of Louisville native Tiffany Embry and The Makery's owner Melissa Liptrap.

Louisville native Tiffany Embry recently attained her Master's degree from the University of Louisville in textile/fiber art. This is her first show since her Master's Thesis exhibition. Unconventional beading was her primary choice of materials and now she is venturing toward explorations in embroidery. Her work has been included in shows across KY and in juried national exhibitions.

Dearest Inez is the work of Makery owner Melissa Liptrap. She is a graduate of the Visual Commnications program at West Virginia State University. Liptrap's work has been included in juried fairs in New York and Chicago.

The Makery
1572 Bardstown Rd
Louisville, KY 40205

If the big game is not for you then perhaps a big sale at a knitting shop is. If that's the case you're in luck because The Knit Nook is going to have crazy good deals for their annual Super Bowl Sunday sale.

Everything in the store will be 15%- 75% off! We'll be opening at 10 am, so come early for deals!

The Knit Nook
1140 Bardstown Rd (suite B)
Louisville, KY 40204
(502)452-1919

I can't recall if I've told you how much of a stationery and written correspondence nerd I am. If I haven't, well, let me put it this way, the other day I twittered "Sometimes the best thing about receiving a gift is the thank you note you get to write in response."

I love letters, cards, thank you notes, the whole lot. I'm such a snail mail dork, I even have several varieties of seals and sealing wax that I use. I also have a devoted stationery cabinet.

While I've been known to order stationery from the interwebs and visit stationery shops in every city I visit most of the cool folded and flat note cards I buy come from right here in town. So, in an effort to get you to send more real letters and cards, I thought I'd tell you abut my three favorite places to buy cards in Louisville.

 1. The Makery
The Makery has a really nice selection of letterpessed, artist made and just down right clever and creative cards. All the holiday cards, save one, that we sent this year came from The Makery.

The Makery
1572 Bardstown Rd

2. Sustain
A new edition to my stationery buying list but it's a good one. This place used to be called SustainKids and, well, they only sold stuff for kids. They recently ditched the kids part of the name and diversified their inventory to include environmentally conscious and sustainable products for adults and kids. Amongst these new items are really beautiful recycled paper cards by Positively Green. Both the art and sentiment of these cards are beautiful. I bought several birthay and thank you cards the other day in giddy anticipation of being able to send them to special people.

Sustain
Vogue Shops
3724 Frankfort Avenue

3. Carmichael's Bookstore
It only makes sense that a place dedicated to the written word would have a good selection of, um, stuff designed for you to write on. Good variety of flat and folded cards and a good mix of sappy and funny.

Now, go forth and send mail.

You know who loves coupons? My grandma. You know who loves this coupon? You. Yes you. Cause how can you not love something that gives you 15% off your purchase at The Trail Store and supports Metro Parks at the same time? You can't.

Click on the coupon at right for a larger version of the coupon to print.

Rainbow Blossom wants to help you shop and shop wisely this holiday season. This Saturday December 13, 2008 is their annual Green Gift Fair featuring local merchants, environmentally friendly items, artisan crafted gifts and samples, sweet, free samples. I love free samples.

"While shopping, customers can enjoy a complimentary chair massage, wine from River Bend Winery, chocolate from Jing Masters and enter to win door prizes and raffles.  A local non-profit, Olmsted Parks Conservancy will also be on hand to wrap presents in earth-friendly, recycled gift-wrap for an optional donation with all proceeds going to the OPC."

See the flyer at left for some of the awesome business that will be represented at the Green Gift Fair.

Saturday December 13, 2008
12 - 4 PM

Rainbow Blossom (St. Matthews)
3738 Lexington Rd.
Louisville, KY

Got an email about a fantastic sounding event this weekend.

WHAT: First Unitarian Church Yuletide Fare

WHEN: Saturday, December 13th, 2008 10AM - 4PM

WHERE: First Unitarian Church 809 South Fourth Street (right across from the downtown branch of the Louisville Public Library)

WHY: We'll offer local crafts and delicious edible holiday gifts at reasonable prices. We'll also be serving a gourmet lunch from 11-3 for only $8.

"Local crafts and delicious edible holiday gifts at reasonable prices?" Yes please.

If avoiding the malls while also accomplishing holiday shopping is on your agenda for this week then head to the Butchertown Market Wednesday evening after work.

Come and join us for an early holiday shopping experience. Local artisans will show their wares and give you the opportunity to find the perfect gift for that friend or family member who has everything.

A percentage of the event sales will benefit the Neighborhood Place At 810 Barret
Families R Us Store.

Wednesday December 10, 2008
5PM-7PM

Butchertown Market
1201 Story Avenue
Louisville, KY 40206

I love ceramics.I'm incredibly envious of people who can take raw slabs of clay and make something beautiful with them. So I definitely see myself hitting the Clay Sale at UofL next weekend. 

Ceramics students and faculty members make the items, which include bowls, vases, mugs, teapots, platters, casserole dishes and other functional and sculptural objects.

Sale proceeds help the UofL Hite Art Institute's Ceramics Art Organization, student travel to national art conferences and free public workshops with nationally recognized visiting artists.

On Dec. 12, sale-goers can park without a pass at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium and take the university shuttle to the Studio Arts Building. On Dec. 13, sale-goers can park in the blue lot just south of the Studio Arts Building.

Dec. 12, 2008 8AM-8PM and Dec. 13, 2008 10AM-2PM
Room 136, Studio Arts Building, Floyd and Warnock streets
Prices for items range from $5 to $100

Today I won't be hammering you over the head with the notion that you should shop local as much as possible when buying gifts this holiday season I will instead give you this information from the Keep Louisville Weird folks:

When people think of holiday shopping, they often think of fighting their way through heavy traffic and wrestling crowds at the malls. The Louisville Independent Business Alliance (LIBA) wants to remind people that they do have an alternative that comes with plenty of fringe benefits: buying holiday gifts from locally-owned, independent retailers.

By purchasing locally, consumers help to preserve the unique community character of the Metro Louisville area. Dollars spent at community-based merchants also create a multiplier effect in the local economy. Studies have shown that for every $100 spent at a chain, only $13 remains in the community. But spending $100 at a home town business keeps $45 in the community. And when you want to find a gift that's truly unique, independent businesses are the place to go.

This holiday season, consumers can add one more reason to shop locally: a chance to win $1,000 to spend at any member business. LIBA launched the Holiday Passport Contest on Tuesday, November 25th, at 10am at The Green Building (732 E. Market). The rules are easy: collect receipts from ten member businesses by 1/5/09. Present them for review at one of our sponsor sites (the Louisville Science Center or Wild & Woolly Video), and you'll be entered to win. Once receipts are verified, they are returned to the owner on the spot.

Just in case you glossed over let me give you the important points again:

• Shop local! Collect receipts when you shop or dine this holiday season at ten LIBA member businesses between now and 1/5/2009
• Present them for review at the Louisville Science Center Gift Shop or Wild and Woolly Video. You'll be entered into a drawing for $1,000 to spend at any of LIBA's member businesses! (Once we verify your receipts they will be returned to you on the spot.)
  

You know I want you to buy local as much as you can this holiday season right? That said I know that money is tight for everyone and the deals at the superstores and the mega marts are really, really attractive. I also know that independent shops, artists and restaurants give Louisville its flavor. So, if you can, please considering doing some of your Black Friday shopping on the F.A.T Friday Trolley Hop. You'll find unique, interesting gifts and you'll be supporting local, independent merchants.

The Frankfort Avenue FAT Friday Trolley Hop will be running all day on Black Friday, November 28th, 2008 in keeping with the day after Thanksgiving shopping tradition. Trolleys will run from 11:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Most stores will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

A Louisville business and a Louisville event got love in the New York Times this week.

First up is Bourbon Barrel Foods. The Times seemed to love the idea of small batch, crafted soy sauce. There was some really interesting info in the piece about the "pedigree" of the soy sauce and how it's made.

He buys soybeans that have not been genetically modified and soft red winter wheat from a downstate farmer whose family has been plowing Kentucky land since before the Civil War. Until recently, the farmer sold soybeans to a family of miso makers in Osaka, Japan. Mr. Jamie relies on limestone-filtered water from a nearby spring named after the Samuels family of Maker's Mark fame.

He boils his beans, roasts his wheat and ferments his sauce in the rear of a converted factory in Louisville. And Mr. Jamie ages that sauce in old whiskey barrels purchased from Buffalo Trace Distillery, down the road in Frankfort, and the Woodford Reserve Distillery, in Versailles.

Interesting note: Bourbon Barrel Foods Worcestershire sauce is vegetarian. Perhaps I shouldn't admit this but until last week I didn't know that most Worcestershire contains anchovies. I was rather disappointed to find out that the vegetable barley soup I made was not in fact vegetarian. Anyway, point being, I know now that I can buy Bourbon Barrel Foods Worcestershire sauce instead and my soup will be as tasty and as vegetarian as I want it to be. That is happy making.

The second Louisville mention in the Times this week is a feature called "Inspiration Can Be Found in Many Places, but You Need to Be Looking." The Louisville connection in the piece is IdeaFestival. IdeaFest participants and founder Kris Kimel have some interesting quotes and ideas in the piece. Here's Kimel:

And so, in 2000, he helped create the IdeaFestival, which brings together creative thinkers from different disciplines to connect ideas in science, the arts, design, business, film, technology and education.

The goal, according to the festival's promotion, is to promote "out-of-the-box thinking and cross-fertilization as a means toward the development of innovative ideas, products and creative endeavors."

It is not your typical "business day," said Mr. Kimel, who works with small businesses. And that can be frustrating.

Whether it is a festival, a concert, a speech, a convention or a book, creative thinkers say, you have to actively look for inspiration, and that takes time.

Carving out time to find inspiration may seem unrealistic to a small-business owner working 90 hours a week. But Mr. Kimel said it must be done to find and keep a competitive edge.

Maybe the most interesting thing about these articles though is that they both feature the photography of Geoff Bugbee.Obviously Geoff is a fantastic editorial photographer (he did some great work at IdeaFestival) but he also does outstanding documentary, humanitarian work. He's a very nice guy who does outstanding work and it's awesome we get to claim him in Louisville.

It's something called 5% day tomorrow, October 24, 2008, at Whole Foods in Louisville. Whole Foods will be donating 5% of net store sales to the Community Farm Alliance.So do your weekend Whole Foods trip tomorrow instead of Saturday or Sunday and help out a really great organization in our community. Why are they so great? Check out their mission statement

CFA's mission is to organize and encourage cooperation among farmers, rural, and urban citizens, through leadership development and grassroots democratic processes, to ensure an essential, prosperous place for family-scale agriculture in our economies and communities.

Key phrase: ensure an essential, prosperous place for family-scale agriculture in our economies and communities. Having grown up primarily on a farm that statement goes straight to my heart.

Come on, admit it. You giggled just a bit when you read "Choctoberfest" didn't you? I did, I'm not ashamed to admit it but then again I get a kick out of counting like Count Von Count so maybe I should just move on.

Choctoberfest is Just Creations' celebration of Fair Trade chocolate. You can expect free samples of their assorted chocolate bars throughout the week as well as a chance to a Grand Prize Chocolate Sampler Gift Pack - a $100 value if you can cough up enough right answers on the Fair Trade Chocolate Quiz.

Though the free samples and general air of chocolate love will be going on all week there is a special event during the week you should make a point of trying to attend. That is of course the Customer Appreciation Party on Wednesday October 22, 2008, from 6PM-8PM.

We've partnered with Sweet Surrender Dessert Cafe to make this a very sweet treat for our customers as our way of saying thank you for your continued support.

The evening includes:

• Fair Trade Chocolate Bake-Off - purchase your Fair Trade chocolate ingredients at Just Creations and register for our Bake-Off.
• Door Prizes throughout the evening.
• A decadent chocolate dessert provided by Sweet Surrender.
• Secret recipe provided for one of Sweet Surrender's famous chocolate treats.

The winner of the Bake-Off will receive a one-of-a-kind Chocolate Champion Bake-Off Basket (valued at $100) and the winning recipe will be posted on our website.

Just Creations
2722 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY

Apparently Bardstown Bound Boofest and the annual Halloween parade are joining forces to make for a majorly festive (if a little bit early for Halloween) time.

We had a ball last year at the Bardstown Bound Boofest and have every intention of doing the same next Friday night October 10, 2008.

Festivities kick off at 5PM and are listed as running until "whenever."

Two locally loved events - "Bardstown Bound" BooFest and the Caufields Halloween parade have joined spirits and have added a Fall Festival to benefit The Home of the Innocents to kick off the Halloween season on Friday evening, October 10. Once again, merchants and restaurants along Bardstown Road and Baxter Avenue will celebrate the Highlands by opening their doors and presenting another fun-filled witching hour of a night beginning at 5:00 P.M. The parade will start at 6:30 on Bardstown Road and travel north on Bardstown Road and Baxter Avenue to The Home of the Innocents at 1100 East Market. The Fall Festival will run from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M. on the campus of The Home; admission to the Festival is free . The combination of Louisville's frightenly fun Caufields Parade , trick or treat stations along the way, Bardstown Bound BooFest and the Festival will give everyone a chance to eat, drink, shop and be scary!

Tomorrow Rainbow Blossom's got demonstrations, experts to quiz and samples of eco-friendly products to try at their Greening Your Life event.

While getting practical tips to 'green up' your life, sign up for raffles, and enjoy samples of local organic foods and eco-friendly products.  From learning how to recycle your cell phone to building a house made from straw, this event is a one-stop resource for greening your life and your home!

Saturday September 24, 2008
12 - 4 PM

Rainbow Blossom (St. Matthews)
3738 Lexington Rd.
Louisville, KY

Bourbon Barrel Foods, our own local microbrewer of soy sauce (fermented in bourbon barrels) has branched into some other food items. They launched a line of sorghum earlier this year I believe but now they've really got my attention: Bourbon Madagascar Vanilla Extract and Bourbon Vanilla Sugar. You people know how much I love to bake when the power is on and and these are ingredients prime for baking.

Now available from Bourbon Barrel Foods are two baker's delights that add that special something to pies, cookies and even holiday cocktails-Bourbon Vanilla Sugar and Bourbon Barrel Aged Vanilla Extract. The sugar is a natural raw cane sugar that is infused with genuine Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans, adding both rich vanilla flavor and a clever wordplay on Kentucky's signature spirit. The Bourbon Barrel Aged Vanilla is a Madagascar Bourbon vanilla extract aged for 6 months in bourbon barrels, a process that imparts rich tones of oak and caramel to everyone's favorite flavoring.

I don't use raw sugar a great deal in my baking but bourbon vanilla raw sugar will be great to sprinkle on cookies or cupcakes or to rim glasses of sweet cocktails with. The vanilla extract thought? Oh kids, in a word, it is: ON. Seriously, seriously on. As soon as I a) have power to run the oven with and b) can either pick this stuff at Whole Foods or order it online then I will be giving this stuff a serious trial run and letting you know how yummy it is. I appreciate vanilla. I appreciate it so much I actually have a preference between Madagascar, Mexican and Tahitian vanilla. The fact that my favorite is what bourbon barrel foods is using brings me great joy and excitement.

This power better get back on soon, there are baked goods to be made.

More press release info on the two products after the jump.

Sidewalk sale at ear X-tacy! Sidewalk sale at ear X-tacy! Sidewalk sale at ear X-tacy!



Saturday September 13, 2008 10AM-7PM
Sunday September 14, 2008 12PM-7PM

It would break my heart if any of you forgot and missed out on the huge 30th Anniversary Sale at Carmichael's this weekend so I thought a reminder was in order. It starts today! And runs all weekend!

On August 15, 16 and 17, Carmichael's Bookstore will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a 3-day sale and customer appreciation cookout at its two stores.  The stores will offer 30% off all stock as a thank you for 30 years of great business. The cookout will be held on Saturday August 15th at the Bardstown Road store and Sunday August 16th at the Frankfort Avenue location with prize and giveaways. Mark your calendars!

There are cookouts involved as well but when 30% off all merchandise at a bookstore is mentioned cookouts really become an afterthought.

1. Cake Flour does not sell milk. So you might want to take that 60% brownie home and eat it.

2. There's a very nice young man working his hustle designing and screen printing t-shirts. I saw him out at First Friday. He sells his wares under the name Makeshift Clothing. I'm a bit too old and square for his designs but I respect his work ethic and I'm sure you personally know someone who would really dig his stuff.

3. There's yet another new bakery coming to town, this one specializing in cupcakes. Thanks to a tip from a reader I saw that The Cupcake Shoppe will soon be opening near the corner of Lexington Road and Bauer Avenue in the old Tiger Lily spot.

On August 15, 16 and 17, Carmichael's Bookstore will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a 3-day sale and customer appreciation cookout at its two stores.  The stores will offer 30% off all stock as a thank you for 30 years of great business. The cookout will be held on Saturday August 15th at the Bardstown Road store and Sunday August 16th at the Frankfort Avenue location with prize and giveaways. Mark your calendars!

30% off everything in stock? Sweet! There are some photography books and a whole lot of stationery on the "going home from Carmichael's with Michelle" list.

I don't know if everyone is familiar with Etsy so let me quote their about page for a second:
 

Etsy is an online marketplace for buying & selling all things handmade.

Our mission is to enable people to make a living making things, and to reconnect makers with buyers.

Our vision is to build a new economy and present a better choice: Buy, Sell, and Live Handmade.

Got it? I've bought everything from stationery and notebooks to earrings and bags from Etsy sellers. Normally I just type in what I'm looking for in general terms (notebooks, earrings, etc) or follow random links to find cool stuff. I didn't know until just the other day that you could search by area. Meaning you can search for crafters in your local area, say, like Louisville, Kentucky.

Such a search led me to some cool stuff.
 
paperfarrago sells really cool paper products (a deep and true love of mine) including really neat gift tags.

littleapplesauce has these wicked cool Green Lantern Returns earrings

qtips offers custom designed card sets which kick ass because they include cards, envelopes and envelope closure stickers.

HiFiDiva makes cool new stuff out of old records. She's currently got tote bags made from recycled records including Sinatra, Seger (!) and the Broadway production of Annie among others.

Tomorrow is the May edition of the F.A.T. Friday Trolley Hop. As usual there will be lots of festiveness to accompany the occasion including food and drink specials at restaurants, art for sale and life music. A few highlights:

"Nora, Ben & Eli will be playing their acoustic eclectic mix this Friday night, May 30, at Mellwood Arts and Entertainment Center for the monthly FAT Friday Frankfort Avenue Trolley Hop, 6:00 - 9:00-ish."

Artistic Wedding Rings and Things at Kaviar Forge
Dinner Specials/ Bellini's / Sangria at Ray Parrella's
Annual Clearance Sale at Pottery Rowe

Just a reminder friends and countrymen that Bardstown Bound is tonight and hopefully the rain has gone the heck away (ask me about the leak in my house won't you?). Go out and shop, spend your economic stimulus package (have you gotten yours yet?), support the local economy, etc. Or you know, just people watch. I'll be making the rounds so if you see me say hello. 

Just a couple shopping notes. I was in Dundee Candy today and saw that they have a few (new?) chocolates that are very clearly marked vegan. I knew they carried some vegan chocolates but the new signs for these dark chocolate beauties will make it even easier for our vegan friends to satisfy a sweet tooth.

The Makery, that hip little Bardstown Road boutique full of unique crafted goods, has gotten some cool t-shirts printed up.

Designed by Joseph Clagg the Kentucky Cutout shirt is just 27 kinds of awesome. I've got to get one and I encourage you to do the same. You can swing into the store to pick one up or you can order online.

The Makery is located at 1617 Bardstown Road.

Image courtesy of The Makery

Way back in March I gave you an early head's up about the spring Bardstown Bound. I hope you put it on your calendar but if not here I am reminding you about it again.

Bardstown Bound celebrates Summer! Bardstown Road and certain side streets open their doors for some more fun with an evening of sidewalk shopping and singing, sampling, and saving on our City's favorite strip, Bardstown Road. Bars, boutiques and shops host the FIRST event of the year, presenting tastings of local favorite restaurants in boutiques to sidewalk music, many other attractions, LG&E's Louie the Lighting Bug will be on hand to entertain the kids on safety. Walk the corridor on Friday, May 16 2008 from 5:00p-whenever and find Happiness in the Highlands!

Friday, May 16, 2008 marks the 10th BB and the 1st of the Year! This 1-night event will offer 15% discounts and showcase the areas most beloved businesses. Discounts on clothing, art, home furnishings, and appetizers provided by Avalon, Bristol Bar & Grille, Bearno's Highlands, Amazing Grace and Le Gallo Rosso Bistro will be featured at the participating boutiques. So shop, taste, drink and enjoy Bardstown Road. The hours of happiness will be from 5:00p -? Bearno's Highlands, Impellizzeri's, Avalon, Bristol Bar & Grille and Asiatique will raise a glass and toast another BBC Bardstown Bound Bubbly Hours to celebrate this evening and offer drink and food specials, including cold BBC Beers and Live Local entertainment.

Participants of this Bardstown Bound event will donate proceeds to benefit the newly opened Gilda's Club of Louisville located in the Highlands. At Gilda's Club you will find support, information, fellowship, laughter, hope and inspiration. Gilda's Club Louisville is a free community where men, women and children who are living with cancer, along with their families and friends, can join with others to build social and emotional support as an essential supplement to their medical care.

A few participants: Luna Boutique, Swanson Reed Gallery, Clay & Cotton, Dot Fox, Presents Gallery, ear X-tacy Records, Asiatique, WHY Louisville, We the People, Cherry Bomb, Hal-Lai, Longest Time, Alcott & Bentley, Impellizzeri's, Eden Side Gallery, Days Coffee, Comedy Caravan, Event Design Library & Emporium, Swabek's Highland Fitness, Tree of Life, White Linen Tea Company, Avalon, ArtClub of the Highlands, Bearno's Highlands, Amazing Grace, Le Gallo Rosso Bistro, Bristol Bar & Grille

I've already mentioned a few highlights for this week's First Friday Trolley Hop like the Derby City Tattoo Art Show and the opening at the Tim Faulkner Gallery, oh and yeah the book signing at Felice. Here are some more happenings tonight:

The Mayan Cafe will be premiering their special Derby menu. "The Mayan Cafe will be offering our Special Derby Menu on May 2! Start your meal with such delights as a chilled Squash Bisque or a Derby Salad with arugula, strawberries, jicama & Oaxaca cheese in a mint vinaigrette. For our entrees, we will be offering a Beef Tenderloin in our mole sauce and a Pan-seared Salmon filet encrusted with pistachios in a pomegranate cream sauce, as well as several other dishes. Be sure to save room for dessert to try our Sweet Crepe with fresh mangos & mascarpone cheese in a rhubarb sauce or our Blood Orange Flan."

"St. John United Church of Christ opens its doors at 7:00 pm. Everyone is welcome to tour our sanctuary. Outside, Terry Birkhead and his drumming group will perform."

Carr-Waite Studio , 221 S. Hancock Recent work by Caroline Waite and Geoff Carr. Opening Friday, May 2, 6-9 pm.

You would't expect anything less than an alternative health from Rainbow Blossom in the spring would you? Of course you wouldn't.

Rainbow Blossom Natural Food Markets has taken the run of the mill health fair and given it a 'healthy' twist. Now in its third year, Blossom Into Health is an annual event created to educate the community about the many ways to maintain and improve health outside of, or along with, conventional Western medicine. Some of the areas top alternative health care practitioners will be gathered at Rainbow Blossom's St. Matthews Market-3738 Lexington Road-on Saturday, April 19th from 12 - 4 PM, providing visitors the opportunity to learn about new ways to stay healthy and to visit with providers on a one to one basis. Fair goers will also be able to sample various products, enter to win gift baskets and take home a Red Maple sapling in celebration of Earth Day.

Health fairs, ranging from corporations looking to keep their workforce fit to those geared towards free-health care screening for those in need, are commonplace in America. Blossom Into Health takes a different approach. "Now more than ever customers are looking for new ways to take control of their own health," says Summer Auerbach, Vice President of Rainbow Blossom. "We're always looking ways to educate our customers about good health and found that the health fair is a great way to do this. Not only do those that attend get to learn about the different treatment options that are available, they also get to meet the practitioners face to face-this gives them a real feel for both the therapy and the practitioner."

Visitors will have the chance to talk to a wide assortment of practitioners. These include Chiropractor TJ White, Food Addiction specialist Cherly Ades, Occupational Kinetic's Dr. Eric DeYoung, Rolfer Chance Mobley and more. For those with pets, Holistic Veterinarian Betty Boswell will be in attendance to talk about alternative therapies for the furry and feathered friends that share their lives.

Saturday April 19, 2008
Noon-4PM

Rainbow Blossom
3738 Lexington Rd.
Louisville, KY 40207
(502) 896-0189

I dig Burt's Bees products. They make this amazing peppermint soap that has little pieces of oatmeal in it that exfoliates your skin and makes it feel so good. OK I admit thought that I'm slightly weirded out by the fact that the company is now owned by Clorox. Clorox and all natural skin care products just don't seem to go together. You know?

In any case I'm kind of excited about the Burt's Bees seminar at Rainbow Blossom this Saturday April 12, 2008. Any event that gives me free samples from companies I already gets a check mark by "winner" in my book.

Burt's Bees Seminar
Saturday April 12, 2008
12:30PM

Rainbow Blossom
3738 Lexington Rd.
Louisville, KY 40207
(502) 896-0189

What do get when you mix honey, an old one-room school house and a dream? Burt's Bees, of course. From its humble beginning back in 1984, Burt's Bees has experience phenomenal growth and is now one of the largest and most well-known natural personal care manufacturers in America. Rainbow Blossom's St. Matthews Market, 3738 Lexington Rd. is pleased to host Burt's Bees for a consumer seminar on Saturday, April 12th at 12:30 PM.

Those attending the seminar will learn about new products, have a chance to sniff and try out samples, talk to a knowledgeable Burt's Bees representative about their favorite products along with taking home a goodie bag full of free samples.

I got a press release for something called the Kentucky Kids Consignment Spring Sale that's coming up this weekend. Totally not my bag so I'm going to quote directly from the press release.

"The Kentucky Kids Consignment Louisville 2008 Spring Sale will be in the American Legion Highland Hall at 2919 Bardstown Rd.  We'll be open for shopping on Saturday, March 15 from 9 AM to 6 PM and Sunday, March 16 from 10 AM to 1 PM with many items half-price.  Clear out the clutter and bring home the bargains with Kentucky Kids Consignment Sales!

We'll have thousands of items including spring and summer clothing (sizes from preemie to boys 20 and girls juniors), shoes, accessories, books, toys, games, strollers, furniture, scrapbooking supplies, and much, much more!  We're still accepting sellers & volunteer workers. Sellers earn at least 70% on their items and workers get to SHOP FIRST!"

Kids are expensive, so I'm told, so this might be a good opportunity to pick up some good stuff on the cheap and to unload some of the stuff your kids don't play with/have outgrown.

Kentucky Kids Consignment Sale
Saturday March 15, 2008 9AM-6PM, Sunday March 16, 2008 10AM-1PM

American Legion Highland Hall
2919 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY

I've never been to Kentucky Crafted: The Market so I can't give you a first hand account of how neat or interesting it is. However I can say that more than one person whose opinion I trust has urged me to write about Kentucky Crafted: The Market and encourage people to go to it. So this is me, telling you about it and encouraging you to go.

Steve over at Louisville History and Issues is very enthusiastic about this event so I'm going to quote him: "I'm telling you folks, Kentucky Crafted is quickly becoming the hottest public event of the year in Louisville! This is THE place to sample and purchase all sorts of Kentuckyfood products, meet and greet Kentucky authors, and peruse all sorts of crafts made by people right here in Kentucky. This is the ultimate "Buy Local" event! I've already gone for two years straight, and I give this show the highest recommendation.

Now, Business First is reporting that the Southeast Tourism Society has named Crafted: The Market" as one of the top 20 events in the Southeast this winter! "Every quarter, the Atlanta-based organization selects 20 of the top events for each season and publishes them in more than 300 newspapers, magazines, radio and TV stations and in 125 AAA publications, according to a news release."

Kentucky Crafted: The Market 2008
Saturday, March 8, 2008
9:00 am to 6:00 pm

Sunday, March 9, 2008
10:00 am to 5:00 pm (EST)

South Wing B
Kentucky Exposition Center
Louisville, Kentucky

$1 off admission coupon (PDF)

Locust Grove's Fourth Annual Used Book Sale will be Saturday March 8 and Sunday March 9, 2008. Books of every imaginable genre and style will be represented with books being sorted by categories.

From the press release

The sale will feature all categories of books from mysteries to children's books, history, cookbooks, reference books & movies. 12,000+ books will be offered for sale. Books are priced at $2.00 for hardcover, $1.00 for trade paperbacks, and .50 for regular paperbacks, with a few special or antiquarian books priced higher. At the end of the sale on Sunday from 2:00-4:30 p.m. books will be sold by the bag for $10.00.

Book appraiser Charles Bartman will do free book appraisals on Saturday at 2 p.m. Please limit to two books per person. NEW this year will be a Silent Auction, on Saturday from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. featuring unusual, valuable and antiquarian books.

Locust Grove
561 Blankenbaker Lane
Louisville, KY 40207

I was in Junior Achievement in high school. My JA experience was an excellent one (I was president of my company and cleaned up at the annual awards banquet my senior year thank you very much) so it's an organization that is dear to me heart. So allow me a moment to encourage you to check out an online auction that benefits Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana.

An auction is a great way to support good organizations because they get your money and you get some kind of actual good or service. You know, you get more than that warm fuzzy feeling. Items up for bid include all kinds of great stuff like lunch for two at Limestone, a Sonoma-Cutrer Wine Basket, private knitting lessons, Spanish lessons, logo design (from Doe Anderson!), tennis lessons, front row behind home plate seats for a Louisville Bats game and a metric ton of other gifts.

Online bidding will begin this morning February 25, 2008 at 9:00 AM, Eastern Standard Time and will end March 14, 2008.

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.

I had a meeting last week with a local businessman who mentioned this new downtown business to me. That was the first I'd heard of it but today I came across the press release from the city.

A new gourmet grocery will soon open downtown, thanks in part to a loan from Louisville Metro Government.

The Gourmet Market at Theatre Square will offer a full-service meat counter, groceries and perishable items when it opens this spring inside the historic Kentucky Theatre. Owners George Stinson, Ed D. Lewis and Eric J. Haner received a $50,000 forgivable loan from the Louisville Metro Business Development Corp.

The owners are renovating the theatre, on Fourth Street near the Brown Hotel, into a retail center that includes a florist, an upscale wine/liquor shop and a Nancy's Bagels store.

This has got to be exciting news for downtown residents and even people who work downtown. I do hope though that they cater to downtown residents (meaning being open more than 9-5, including weekends). The convenience of having a grocery, florist, small liquor store and a bagel shop on Fourth Street will be significant I would think for downtown residents.

I'm not totally sure what this event is but it seems to be some kind of shopping extravaganza sponsored by Underwired magazine.

Not exactly my scene though the way I need clothes and accessories it should be. Maybe I can hire someone to be my guide to this world.

Thursday, February 28, 2008
6-10PM
$10 in advance
$15 at the door

Order advanced tickets through Underwired's website

Mellwood Arts & Entertainment Center
Ballroom #1,
1860 Mellwood Ave
Louisville, KY

Huge Deals, Fabulous Finds, Upscale and Exclusive

Bring your best gals and shop till you drop with music, giveaways, food and samplings of Italian wines. And remember, CASH IS KING (some vendors will be accepting credit cards).

The Five0Two Campaign has announced that February's work of art is available. The piece is a new Bill Green (he of Lebowski Fest fame) poster featuring Hunter S. Thompson and a fleur de lis thrown in for good Louisville measure. 

Every month we pick an artist that we admire or think deserves to have their work seen around the city. That artist then creates a piece of artwork that is printed on postcards and posters and distributed around the city for all of us to enjoy. The artist gets some money and the city gets a work of art in the voice of that artist. There are no restrictions on the art that is produced, only that it reflects the vision of that particular artist.

We may choose for that piece of art to be distributed in other ways, like tshirts or beer cubbies. We'll sell those in hopes that we can keep this project alive indefinitely.

Four Roses Bourbon and Nanz and Kraft Florist are teaming up for a benefit event for Brightside. A $5 donation at the door gets you premium bourbon samplings from the fine folks at Four Roses Bourbon Hall and bourbon discussion with Hall of Fame Master Distiller Jim Rutledge. You also get hors d'oeuvres and the opportunity to shop around Nanz and Kraft's floral playground to buy beautiful Valentine's gifts for your sweetheart.

Four Roses Flower Hour

Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008 6-8 p.m.
Nanz & Kraft Florist
141 Breckenridge Lane
St. Matthews

I'd seen some information floating around but nothing specific about Grateful Threads possibly being bought and staying open.

Teddy just left a comment letting us know that is in fact the case:

Threads is in the process of being bought and by the weekend will officially be saved with hopes of a reopener on Feb 9th with a few fresh changes many of the old store staying the same that we all have grown to love with continuing the Family Tradition

Excellent. I for one am very happy to hear this news. Bardstown Road just wouldn't be the same without Grateful Threads.

You're going to buy Valentine's presents. You know it, I know it. You could try to say that you're simply abstaining from the crass commercialism that pervades our every emotion and action but you know you'd just come across as cheap or uncaring. So instead of giving in and buying overpriced flowers and mass produced candy or completely abstaining and looking like a jerk, allow me to suggest an alternate plan, a middle path if you will. The Consuming Louisville Valentine's Gift Guide will give you ideas for cool goods you can buy and gestures you can perform that will be appreciated and cherished by your beloved. In short, I'm giving you a primer here on pitching woo. You can thank me later.

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

Mr. 43 Folders himself Merlin Mann was of course at Macworld last week and filmed a couple interviews for the fine MacBreak program. These interviews are interesting if you're a Mac geek (and I am) but we're most interested in the "Abide" shirt Merlin is rocking in the videos.

That shirt is a fine example of the superior quality materials our friends from Lebowski Fest have sent out into the world. You should buy one. You might also considering buying a sticker or other Abide materials.

All this reminds us that the 7th Annual Lebowski Fest is happening July 11 and 12, 2008 here in Louisville. Being the 7th annual event here in Louisville is cool enough but when you consider this year is the 10th anniversary of the film's release, well then you know that excellence will abound. 

You know, in case you're into that kind of thing.

Ikea
9500 IKEA Way
West Chester, Ohio 45069

What is Louisville for Lovers? It is "a tiny niche of pop culture for and about louisville kentucky. it’s main focus is an annual compilation released for valentines day with original, exclusive songs by louisville bands." Got it? Good cause volume 8 will be released on February 5, 2008.

At the Louisville is for Lovers website you can pre-order the CD as well as listen to tracks from it.

Grateful Threads Lives! Click here for information on the grand reopening.

It's with great sadness I pass on the news that Grateful Threads is closing. I know the owner was trying to sell the business but that must not have panned out since everything, including displays and fixtures, is for sale at 30-50%.

Head down there and grab a piece of Highlands history. Seriously, that stretch of Bardstown Road won't be the same without Grateful Threads.

Fleet Feet Sports is presenting something called Diva Night this Friday January 11, 2008. Described as a celebration of women and fitness."

There will be representatives from other local businesses of interest to women but most interestingly there will be bra fittings, shoe fittings, fitness and wellness topics, injury advice and more. Proper bra fitting is one of the great mysteries in life particularly getting good sports bras. So all active women and women looking to become more active should definitely swing by.

The first 40 women to RSVP will receive a gift bag and there will be wine, cheese and chocolate.

Fleet Feet Louisville
1500 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY
479-8786

On occasion I've been called a tree hugger so it's no real surprise that I'd be interested in an event called "Greening Your Home." However after making the leap from apartment dweller to householder this past year and seeing last month's LG&E bill I'd interested in anything that can help "create an energy efficient home" even if I hated the environment and cut down trees just for fun.

Also, events that give me free samples of local organic food? Always high on my to do list.

"Want to “go green” but just don’t know where to begin? Then stop by Rainbow Blossom’s Greening Your Home! Whether you want to start small - simple choices to create an energy efficient home, using chemical-free cleaners, making ‘greener’ food choices - or if you want to make bigger changes, we’ ll have experts from around Kentuckiana on hand to assist you. While getting practical tips to ‘green up’ your living space sample organic, local foods and other products. We’ ll also be raffling off an electric, zero emission scooter. From learning how to compost your kitchen waste to building a house made of straw, this event is a one stop resource for “greening” your home and your life!"

January 12, 2008 Noon-4PM

Rainbow Blossom
3738 Lexington Rd.
Louisville, KY 40207
(502) 896-0189

1. Ray's Monkey House on Bardstown Road is closed today due to frozen pipes.

2. Just in case you don't already know the Eddie Bauer store in Oxmoor Mall is closing. All remaining merchandise (and there is still some pretty decent stuff left at this point) 25-40% off the lowest marked price. I got two pairs of jeans and a sweatshirt for under $50 today.

You've got just over a week to finish your Christmas shopping. Is your list is still way too long? Are you starting to stress about it a little bit? Relax, take a step back. Hit your favorite swanky bar and order a Good Night, Irene because Metro Parks has gathered up some Holiday Gift Ideas to help you out. The suggested gifts will not only shorten your shopping list but will also allow you to give gifts that help your friends and family get more involved in the activities our great Metro Parks system afford us.


Gift ideas include golf passes, Metro Art Classes gift certificates, campground season passes, swimming pool memberships, park and museum stores gift certificates and more. There are some really good suggestions so check it out.

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

Tonight Regalo on Market will be celebrating a couple new lines of men's jewelry from 5-8PM. Have a beer or a glass of wine while looking at all the nice shiny baubles including stainless, titanium, sterling, and tungsten rings, pendants, cufflinks and bracelets.

Regalo on Market
636 E. Market
Louisville, KY

The Mellwood Art Center and The Big Bone are presenting The $20 Art Show. Over 20 local artists will be featured and absolutely no artwork will be over $20.

In addition to being able to buy affordable art you'll also be able to enjoy live holiday music from Leigh Ann Yost, Kathleen Hoye and others

Saturday December 15, 2007
6PM-10PM
The Pigment Gallery at The Mellwood Art Center

Mellwood Art Center
1860 Mellwood Avenue
Louisville, KY

List of participating artists after the jump

Churchill Downs has released "Kentucky Derby 133," a 96-page coffee-table book that chronicles this year's race. The book is a collection of text written by by John Asher, vice president of racing communications for Churchill Downs and photographs.

Asher and Calvin Borel, the winning jockey of the 2007 Kentucky Derby will be on the book signing circuit this weekend, hitting a different retail store each day to sign copies of the book.

Friday December 14, at 7PM Barnes & Noble at The Summit shopping center
Saturday, Dec. 15, at 2PM Borders on Shelbyville Road
Sunday December 16 1PM A Taste of Kentucky in Mall St. Matthews

The book retails for $35 and is also available for purchase online.


via Business First

A couple days ago I had a very nice meeting (hi Paul!) and then hit several shops and stores to buy provisions for holiday entertaining. Restocking adult beverages was necessary so I headed to Old Town Wine and Spirits. I had specific wines in mind but needed some help with beer. I'm not a beer drinker and wanted some advice. A very, very nice employee was there to give me all the help I needed. As I was checking out he asked if there wasn't any beer I liked at all and I said, no, I've never found one I could stomach. He said hang on, ran back to the cold beer cases, came back with a bottle and said something like "this one is on me. I really think you should try it. This is the beer that opened me up to beer." Super helpful and giving me a free bottle of beer? Fantastic. Yes, Old Town has certainly earned my repeat business.

Old Town Wine and Spirits
1529 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40205
Phone : 502-451-8591

A few weeks ago I was at the post office and the nice lady working there complimented the Night Owl shirt I was wearing. I told her I got it at Why Louisville and this led to a discussion about various independent businesses in the Highlands. The lady behind me in line joined the conversation and said she wished all these independent businesses could get together to create one gift card that could be used at independent shops and restaurants all over the city. I told her I thought that was a great idea.

The Highlands VIP Card isn't the "Louisville independent business gift card" that the lady in the post office imagined but maybe it's a step in that direction.

The Highlands VIP membership card gives you exclusive member savings, discounts and special privileges at more than 100 of Highlands businesses.

The card costs $20 and is available for purchase online.

Lots of things going on downtown tomorrow night in conjunction with the First Friday Gallery Hop. A few highlights:

First there's the aforementioned opening party at Gallery NuLu for Gibbs Rounsavall.

Glassworks is making holiday shopping easy with "The sale of the year that you don't want to miss! Glassworks artists sell their "not quite perfect" pieces for great bargains!

Market on Market presents Ceramics by Charles Hansen & Photography by Ross Gordon

Sadly Ray of Light is going out of business at the end of the year but for First Friday shoppers that means really good deals. Starting tomorrow, December 7, 2007 40% will be taken off everything in the store

Steelskin Gallery is having their second annual "Art as Gift" sale

Paul Paletti Gallery will have a collection of photographs from Cirque de Soleil

Derby City Espresso is having an opening for Tim Faulkner's paintings, a painter from New Orleans who moved here after Katrina. DCE is also having a free beer tasting hosted by the BBC Tap Room and the Pouchak doing providing live jazz music.

Speaking of Tim Faulkner his new gallery, Tim Faulkner Gallery will be open from 6-9PM. Located on the second floor of 815 E. Market Street the gallery's first show features paintings by Faulkner and Indianapolis artist Quincy Owens.

On Saturday December 8, 2007 from 12PM-4PM local artisans and companies including The Knit Knook, Glass Dreamz, Jackson's Organic Coffee, Just Creations, Grateful Suds, SUSTAINkids and many others will be at the St. Matthews location of Rainbow Blossom with interesting, unique gifts that will make your inner tree hugger feel all warm and fuzzy. And also? There will be free chocolate for your sampling pleasure. I think you'll agree that eco-friendly gift shopping and free chocolate make for a very good afternoon.

Olmsted Parks Conversancy will be on hand to provide gift wrapping for a nominal donation. They will also be offering gift memberships at a special reduced rate - available only through Rainbow Blossom - at the Fair and throughout the holiday season.

Rainbow Blossom
3738 Lexington Rd.
Louisville, KY 40207
(502) 896-0189

Thanks Steve for the reminder.

Sometimes you come across something that is so unexpected yet not at all surprising at the same time. Rainbow Blossom having Tibetan Monks blessing holiday gifts is one of those things. 

The Mellwood Art Center and The Big Bone are presenting The $20 Art Show. Over 20 local artists will be featured and absolutely no artwork will be over $20.

In addition to being able to buy affordable art you'll also be able to enjoy live holiday music from Leigh Ann Yost, Kathleen Hoye and others

Saturday December 15, 2007
6PM-10PM
The Pigment Gallery at The Mellwood Art Center

Mellwood Art Center
1860 Mellwood Avenue
Louisville, KY

List of participating artists after the jump

Just a reminder that it's next Friday night, not tonight. 

Louisville photographer Sarah Lyon (she of the Female Mechanics calendar featured in our holiday shopping guide) has a second calendar available this holiday season as well. The second calendar, called Louisville Portraits and Spaces, is a limited edition run with only 50 copies made. The small, elegant calendar is a beautiful collection of photographs that features different and I'd say even haunting perspectives on people and places in our fair city. Stop by Scout downtown to pick up your copy.

Louisville Portraits and Spaces Calendar $35
available at Scout
801 E. Market St.
Louisville, KY 40206
584-8989

Our friends over at Backseat Sandbar were talking about Buy Nothing Day and I commented that I can't really support the Buy Nothing movement. Something I think we can all support though is working on your holiday gift list by buying locally from independent artisans, craftspeople and companies. Rainbow Blossom is taking that plan a step further by featuring eco-friendly gifts from independent artisans and companies at their Holiday Green Gift Fair.

On Saturday December 8, 2007 from 12PM-4PM local artisans and companies including The Knit Knook, Glass Dreamz, Jackson's Organic Coffee, Just Creations, Grateful Suds, SUSTAINkids and many others will be at the St. Matthews location of Rainbow Blossom with interesting, unique gifts that will make your inner tree hugger feel all warm and fuzzy. And also? There will be free chocolate for your sampling pleasure. I think you'll agree that eco-friendly gift shopping and free chocolate make for a very good afternoon.

Rainbow Blossom
3738 Lexington Rd.
Louisville, KY 40207
(502) 896-0189

You don't think the world needs another shopping guide? I'm sorry, but you're wrong. We need a Louisville shopping guide so we can find kick ass holiday gifts for loved ones, business associates, neighbors, teachers and all the other people on our lists. We need a Louisville shopping guide so we can find good gifts from great shops that add to our incredible local flavor every day. We need a Louisville shopping guide so we can impress the heck out of our gift recipients with one more interesting, unique gift and one less standard issue item picked up at the mall. We need a Louisville shopping guide so you can know what they actually sell at that one store on Bardstown Road, you know the one with the big bear out front.

So enjoy Consuming Louisville's First Annual Holiday Shopping Guide. It features some specific items from local artists and companies, a few specific shops you should be shopping at, and an item or two that is Louisville related. Everything is unique. Everything is interesting. And not a single item in the Consuming Louisville Holiday Shopping Guide requires you to go to a mall.

"When you feel like the only kid in town without a Christmas tree" don't reach for Adam Sandler's Hanukkah Song. Instead reach for Louisville musician Brigid Kaelin's brand new country Chanukah tunes.

Hanukkah starts early this year, December 4 is the first night, so Kaelin went into the studio in mid-November to lock two Hanukkah themed singles for your holiday listening pleasure.

The tracks, Blue Dreidel No. 9 and Mazel Tonk, are available both for listening and purchase via Kaelin's MySpace page. I've heard (but haven't confirmed) that you can buy a CD with the tracks at ear X-tacy. If you do that you'll be rewarded with a Chanukah card. Sweet!

Video of Adam Sandler's Hanukkah Song after the jump

"Good Folk Fest is centrally located in the heart of the US, Louisville-Kentucky.
Featuring over 75 local, regional, and internationally known outsider, visionary and folk artists and topped off with performances from a hand full of primitive musicians makes Good Folk Fest the only one of it's kind in the region.

The Festival is located indoors in two rooms totaling over 14,500 square feet within the Mellwood Arts and Entertainment Center which is a refurbished meat packing plant turned creative environment."

Saturday December 1 & Sunday December 2
9AM-6PM
$5 admission

Music lineup after the jump

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

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).

OK, honestly, I'm really not much of a shopper but I am going out amongst the hordes to shop today. I'm staying far, far away from the malls though and will instead be focusing my energy and dollars on local stores and independent shops. As I've encouraged you to do I'll be hitting Frankfort Avenue for the Trolley Hop and the Butchertown Market for the art sale. I suspect I'll also be hitting several shops along Bardstown Road as well. Why shouldn't WHY Louisville have even more of money than it already does?

As always I encourage you to spend as many of your shopping dollars as you can supporting local and independent businesses here in our great city.

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.

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

And I couldn't be more excited about it.

Spend Your Holidays in the Highlands! 

"The Highland Commerce Guild elves are busy planning the Holiday Season with an another say Hello to the Highlands and get Happy “Open House” celebration.

This festival of shopping, eating, drinking and merriment is celebrating 22 years of bringing people from all walks of life together. This event has become a highlight of the Holidays and The Highlands thank you for spending Saturday, December 1st with them!

Boutiques, eateries, and businesses all along Bardstown Road and Baxter Avenue open their doors offering entertainment, food, drink, discounts, entertainment and much, much more. Another holiday highlight is the Trolley--two Trolleys filled with Elves will ride up and down the corridor for an old-time family tradition!

Once again, Bardstown Road Aglow will feature musicians singing, bagpipers booming and shops a glowing.

Santa is back this year and will be ready for a sit and pic at the Bearno’s Highlands Winter Wonderland. All picture proceeds will benefit-Baptist East Hospital’s “Buddies For Life” Foundation."

It's great that one Santa will be at Bearno's but way, way more exciting is the re-emergence of the Santa Brigade.

Yes kids, it's true. The Santa Brigade will dust off their santa suits for an invasion of The Highlands on Bardstown Road on Saturday December 1st, 2007.

The santas will be roaming the neighborhood during Bardstown Road Aglow.

There has been some discussion about rock and roll caroling.

Rock on Santa Brigade.

I wasn't at all familiar with Studio2000 until I got the announcement for their Art Show Sale & Silent Auction. A little bit of digging turns up that Studio2000 is a great program that "provides meaningful employment and training through the arts to talented high school aged youth who demonstrate interest and skill in the visual arts." I'm all for encouraging and supporting young artists in our community and I'm all for affordable art so this show is definitely worth checking out in my opinion.

Fall Sale and Silent Auction - Selected Studio2000 art pieces 50% off (excluding new pieces)

December 2   2:00PM - 5:00PM

December 3   9:00AM - 6:00PM

Urban Government Center First Floor Conference Room

Studio2000
810 Barret Ave Room 342 (Urban Government Center)
Louisville, KY 40204

More info about Studio2000 after the jump

Moxie Letterpress has put together a great opportunity for combining holiday shopping, art buying and poetry appreciation at the Butchertown Market on Friday November 23.

Yeah, yeah, yeah the day after Thanksgiving is Black Friday alright but it's also an extra special F.A.T Friday. So don't drive yourself mad by fighting people at the malls and Best Buy all day. Instead check enjoy an extended editions of the Frankfort Avenue Trolley Hop.


Festivities begin at the civilized hour of 11AM. No one at Just Creations is going to be beating you with their purse at 4:45AM to grab the last handmade, fair trade, economic sustainability supporting cast iron salsa pig from Columbia. Good times last until at least 10:30PM.

I've heard that some excellent art buying and shopping opportunities will be going on at the Butchertown Market as well on Friday but I've yet to get any confirmation on that. As soon as I do I'll post it.

I'm planning on a day full of festive making, eating and shopping for the Friday after Thanksgiving and visiting the Locust Grove Holiday Sample would seem to fit nicely into that plan.

Spend the day after Thanksgiving exploring our region’s heritage. We’re open during our regular hours (10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.). Costumed demonstrators will be in the kitchen and woodshop from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. And you can even do holiday shopping in the museum store, with all items 20 percent off regular price. Even better, it’s all included in the regular price – $6 for general admission, $5 for seniors, $3 for children 6-12, free for children under 6 and members.

Friday, November 23, 2007
11AM-2PM

Historic Locust Grove
561 Blankenbaker Lane
Louisville , KY 40207

Friday again already? The weeks do go by quickly as the holiday season starts ramping up. Let's dive into some weekend events.

Friday November 16, 2007
Tonight at 4th Street Live The Photographic will be playing as part of the Louisville Home Grown Music Series

The Ben Sollee CD release events are happening tonight and tomorrow both at the 21C Museum Hotel.

Roar Shock opening at Swanson Reed Contemporary

Saturday November 17, 2007
Do some good for our community by taking part in some great volunteer opportunities

Shops in the East Market Gallery district are throwing an open house and you're invited

Art Sanctuary Presents Decadence "a night of darkness and beauty"

Comedienne Suzanne Westenhoefer will be making people laugh at The Alternative

The Louisville Nature Center is presenting an Owl Prowl. Besides being a great name this sounds like a super fun event. Just be sure to bundle up.

The Peak Summit Groove and Dance Party promises art, music and dancing at 3 different venues in the Highlands. 

Sunday November 18, 2007
Derby City Rollergirls Skatie Hawkins Dance is a completely new and different spin on Sadie Hawkins dances courtesy of the Derby City Rollergirls

11 businesses in the East Market shopping district are throwing an open house this Saturday November 17 from 10AM to 5PM. Have a little breakfast at Toast on Market, then shop like mad at these participating shops:

Red Tree
Scout
The Bodega at Felice
Sign-a-Rama
Flame Run
Tracee Dore
Regalo On Market
Swanson Reed
Ray of Light
then stop by Jennica's for a glass of wine.

I didn't know about this open house so we did breakfast at Toast and lots of shopping this past Saturday. Boat loads of fun and tons of great buys. I had not been to Red Tree before and found it to be fabulous as was Scout.

Please join Crane House for a festive, pre-holiday presentation of selected Asian etiquettes and aesthetics related to birthdays, weddings, gift-giving, New Year and special clothing.  Crane House’s gift shop will be open alongside and eclectic boutique from Ethos Asia and original prints and watercolors by Chinese artist, Waverly Liu.

Asian Etiquette and Aesthetics
Sunday, November 18, 2007 2PM-5PM
Free and open to the public

Crane House, the Asia Institute, Inc.

1244 S. Third Street
Louisville, KY 40203

Events galore this weekend, lots of them holiday related which makes me quite happy. I know the holiday season starts earlier and earlier every year but I can't help but enjoy it.

Friday November 9, 2007
The InKY Reading Series offers up more good times with its fiction night at the Rud

The Photographic Correction: Ben Sollee is playing at 4th Street Live in the second week of the Louisville Home Grown Music Series. The Photographic will be playing next week November 16

Shops in the area of the Vogue in St. Matthews are throwing a holiday party and you're invited for shopping and refreshments

Shops in Chenoweth Square are throwing a holiday open house

Saturday November 10, 2007
Highland United Methodist Church at 1140 Cherokee Road is hosting it's annual Holiday Bazaar and Bake Sale from 9AM-2PM. Eat baked goods, buy unique holiday gifts.

The Mid City Mall ValuMarket (a really good store for ethnic foods and vegetarian foods by the way) is having a Holiday Open House from 11AM-8PM. There will be samples throughout the store and staff will be on hand to offer help and holiday entertaining ideas

The Louisville Artisans Guild is having its annual Holiday Showcase at the American Legion Highland Post on Bardstown Road. Hours are Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 4 pm

Midnights at The Baxter Present a Jim Henson Double Feature with The Dark Crystal starting at 10PM and Labyrinth starting at Midnight.

Sunday November 11, 2007
Musicians Emergency Resource Foundation Concerts will be happening in three clubs across Louisville.

Writer's Showcase Deathmatch at Molly Malone's brought to you by Art Sanctuary, starts at 8PM

Not ones to be left out in the early holiday shopping cold shops in Chenoweth Square are throwing their own holiday open house and party this Friday November 9 from 5PM-9PM.

Participating shops include:
Tradewinds
FleurDe Lis
Parallel 38
Watermark Gallery
Bedded Bliss
Boutique Serendipity
Gryphon Interiors
St. Matthews Wine Co.
The Spice Merchant
Digs
Three Dog Bakery
The Parfumerie

Let me come out and say that I wish The Vogue was still a great movie theater and not a shopping center but we can't live in the past and a shopping center it is so let's all move on and shop. This Friday November 9 from 6PM-9PM several shops along the Vogue corridor of Lexington Road are participating in the Holiday Walk Around the Vogue event. Many shops will have special promotions and refreshments.

Participating shops include:
Colonial Designs
The Lampmaker
The Nest
You're Sew Vain
Clodhoppers
Miller's Fancy Bath & Kitchen
Poppie Design
Anabel's Oriental Rugs
Dandelion
The Peppermint Palm
House of Denim
It's A Small World/Sahara Cafe
Blink boutique
My Epiphany
Lotsa Pasta

Another weekend full of good things to do in Louisville.

Friday November 2
The First Friday Gallery Hop should be high on your list of things to do tonight. I particularly think the Day of the Dead stuff going on at the Kentucky Museum of Art & Craft sounds good.

While technically part of the First Friday Gallery Hop the Decked Out Opening Party at Derby City Espresso sounds like such a cool event it gets listed as its own separate event. Remember Derby City Espresso is serving beer now too.

Your Black Star, Follow The Train and The Fervor will be playing as part of the Louisville Home Grown Music Series at 4th Street Live.

The Late Seating at Actors "I [fleur-de-lis] the Holidays Party" and opening party for The Santaland Diaries. Eat, drink, listen to good music and buy cheap art. That sounds pretty close to a perfect evening.

Bach's Mass in B Minor The Choral Arts Society (with members of Bourbon Baroque) presents J.S. Bach Mass in B minor with period instruments.

Saturday November 3
Junior League of Louisville's 2007 Hollydays Art & Gift Market at the Kentucky International Convention Center. It kicks off Friday night but Friday is so full of good stuff I think you should hit Hollydays on Saturday or even Sunday. Hours on Saturday are 10am until 5pm and Sunday from 10am until 4pm.

The Brennan Photography Symposium will have tours, lectures and discussions on preserving photographs. Make sure to bring one old photograph to be analyzed by Bill Carner from the University of Louisville Photo Archives.

Harlem Nights, an Evening at the Speed Art Museum celebrate the Harlem Renaissance through song, dance, period costumes, food, drink and performances by the African American Theater Program at the University of Louisville and Actor's Theater of Louisville.

Read that title fast five times. Next Saturday November 10 there are two events in the Highlands to get you in the right frame of mind for the holiday season festiveness.

First up Highland United Methodist Church at 1140 Cherokee Road is hosting it's annual Holiday Bazaar and Bake Sale from 9AM-2PM. Eat baked goods, buy unique holiday gifts.

The Mid City Mall ValuMarket (a really good store for ethnic foods and vegetarian foods by the way) is having a Holiday Open House from 11AM-8PM. There will be samples throughout the store and staff will be on hand to offer help and holiday entertaining ideas

The Highland Commerce Guild elves are busy planning the Holiday Season with an another say Hello to the Highlands and get Happy “Open House” celebration on Saturday, December 1, 2007 Dusk 'til 10:00p. This festival of shopping, eating, drinking and merriment is celebrating 22 years of bringing people from all walks of life together. This event has become a highlight of the Holidays and The Highlands thank you for spending Saturday, December 1st with them!

Boutiques, eateries, and businesses all along Bardstown Road and Baxter Avenue open their doors offering entertainment, food, drink, discounts, entertainment and much, much more. Another holiday highlight is the Trolley--two Trolleys filled with Elves will ride up and down the corridor for an old-time family tradition! Once again, Bardstown Road Aglow will feature musicians singing, bagpipers booming and shops a glowing.

Did you know about this? I didn't. Apparently ear X-tacy hacks $2 off the price of all used CDs priced $4.99 and up on Mondays. Sweet.

So much stuff is going on this weekend I don't know how you're going to choose between it all but I hope you squeeze a lot of it in.

Friday October 26

Jack O'Lantern Stroll at Bellarmine featuring jack o'lanterns, huge pumpkin pies, dipping of Krispy Kreme donuts and donations going to Dreams with Wings 6PM-9PM

Bardstown Bound Boofest With shops, restaurants and bars all along the Bardstown Road corridor offering up treats for young and...not so young alike. 5PM-??

Frankfort Avenue Trolley Hop This event seems to grow in both coolness and popularity every month. If you go that way I'd be sure to take a stroll down Hillcrest Avenue to check out all the Halloween finery on display.

Family Halloween at Mellwood Arts & Entertainment Center Featuring art, food, pumpkin carving, ghost stories and more for kids and adults both.

Arabic Music at Caffe Classico George Wakim with Alma Gitana performing. 8:30PM

Saturday October 27, 2007

Affordable Art Show & Fall Festival at The 930 Art Center All art under $100, food, music, petting zoo, good times.

Poetry Reading at Moxie Letterpress Poetry reading, music and art to buy. 7PM

Evil Dead 2, Midnights at The Baxter Evil Dead 2 and the costume contest with the kick ass prize. Midnight

I was naive. I expected several people to show up at 8AM on the dot for the Wild Oats closing sale but I had no idea there would be a line stretching across the parking lot nearly all the way to World Market. I expected a few items to be hot sellers but man I was disappointed to get in the store at 8:05 and yet still be too late for any of my beloved Amy's pizzas. That's ok though because I did well in the energy bar, peanut butter, fake meatballs, baking goods and cheese departments.

These events always bring out the best and worst in people, and I noticed it about myself too. When I first got there I was all "wow this is great. Great deals, all these people. Fun! Of course you can force me into this rack of gluten free cookies so you can run to the yogurt section before that guy grabs the last carton of maple flavored goat milk yogurt." By the time I finally got checked out I was about to stab the next person who tried to squeeze a cart in between the sea of people in line. Walk around the line people not through it! Around! Good times, good times.

I heard the sale is going on until everything in the store is gone. At this point I doubt there is much good stuff left though. When I left almost all of the refrigerated milks (dairy and soy) were gone as was most of the cereal, power bars, canned goods, etc. There were still some things though so it might be a worth a stop if you're in the area. I really want to know what the last items left on the shelves are. Like what in Wild Oats is so unattractive that at even 50% it just sits on the shelf all day. If anyone is around later and sees what those poor, unloved items are please satisfy my curiosity and let me know.

Your Halloween weekend agenda isn't complete until you make plans to hit the "Bardstown Bound" BooFest.

Bardstown Bound celebrates Halloween! Bardstown Road and certain side streets open their doors for some more fun as well as tricks and treats with an evening of shopping, sampling, and saving on our City's favorite strip, Bardstown Road, is happy to host it's last event of the year, featuring Haunted boutiques to bars where treats will be served to the public, Friday, October 26, 2007 from 5:00p-?!

Boutiques, bars and eateries on Bardstown Road are excited to welcome everyone once again and present another fun-filled witching hour of a night highlighting the area where they live and work. Being Bardstown Bound is a little reminder of why this is the place to see and be seen and to show your support for such a landmark of a street. Shops North and South of Eastern Parkway open their doors for you and to raise a glass and toast another Bardstown Bound Bubbly Boo Hour .

The cast of Bardstown Bound BooFest will pass out goodies for the kids and the child in all of us on this special scary night! Walk the streets and enjoy some treats…also, some of the local participating restaurants will prepare a special on the menu featuring BBC Beer as the main ingredient!

Events like these remind me again and again why I love living in the Highlands so much. I'm really looking forward to walking up to the Deli @ Douglass Loop for BBC Chili made of course with "our own local beer-BBC!" The Deli will also have be having live local music that night.

Business First is reporting that Wild Oats and Whole Foods "will be consolidated into Whole Foods' current location at 4944 Shelbyville Road as of Nov. 1." Word came in October that Wild Oats would be closing but this is the first time I've seen a firm date. In anticipation of this closing/consolidation Wild Oats is having a 50% off sale to thin the inventory. The sale takes place at 8AM on Wednesday October 24. I for one will be lining up. Word to the wise: don't get between me and healthy, vegetarian food at 50% off prices.