The American Council of the Blind will be holding it's national convention here in Louisville this summer and that gives sighted locals an amazing opportunity to volunteer their time as tour guides at The American Printing House for the Blind.

The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) needs volunteers to assist with activities for the American Council of the Blind's (ACB) national convention that will take place July 4-10, 2008 in Louisville. Volunteers will be asked to accompany visitors who are blind, as trained tour guides give walking tours of the APH facility, July 7-10, 2008. Most tours will take place between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Because the American Printing House for the Blind has been the main supplier of educational materials for blind students throughout the U.S. and its territories since 1879, it is safe to say that there is not a blind person in the country who has attended a public school who has not used APH products. These products - accessible books, maps, etc. - have made the difference in whether these people have access to equal education. So, when ACB visits Louisville, they will run tour buses to APH from the Galt House, where they are staying.

It will be a very educational and rewarding experience for volunteers. When the ACB conference came to Louisville in 2000 some of the visitors said, "I have dreamed my whole life of visiting the American Printing House for the Blind."

Volunteers will need to take part in a 3-hour training session in June prior to the program. Training session details will be determined by the convenience of the participants, and may take place evenings, weekdays, and/or weekends.

For more information and to volunteer, please contact Roberta Williams at (502) 899-2357 or rwilliams@aph.org.

You know I love me some Jefferson Memorial Forest. One of the things I love it about it is that it's in such great shape, so well cared for and so litter free. Next Saturday March 29, 2008 is your chance to volunteer to keep it that way.

The Commonwealth Cleanup at Jefferson Memorial Forest will be held on Saturday, March 29^th from 9 a.m.- Noon. This event is part of the Metro Community-wide Clean-up organized by Brightside. We will be focusing on trash pickup and tire removal from these three areas of the Forest: Scott's Gap, Bearcamp Road, and Jefferson Hill. Meet at 9am at the Tom Wallace parking lot (across from the Welcome Center at 11311 Mitchell Hill Road). We will shuttle individuals using our Park's Van to work locations. Water, gloves and bags will be provided. Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes and clothing that can get dirty.

To register to volunteer, call the Welcome Center at 502-368-5404

Jefferson Memorial Forest
11311 Mitchell Hill Road
Fairdale, KY 40118

A reader (thanks John!) sent me the info on this weekend's Living Lands and Waters Xstream Cleanup.What, you might ask, i an Xtreme Cleanup?

The Xstream Cleanup is a community-based event focusing on cleaning up the waterways in the Louisville metro area.  This event is spearheaded by Living Lands & Waters (LL&W) and sponsored by the Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS), Metro Parks, American Commercial Lines, Jefferson County Soil & Water Conservation District (JCSWCD), and Anheuser-Busch Companies.  Volunteers are needed to assist with cleaning up several different sites.

They're looking for volunteers for various sites around town so head over to the website, pick a volunteer location and signup online.

Living Lands and Waters Xstream Cleanup
Saturday March 15, 2008
8:30AM-1PM

I've mentioned it before but it's time to mention it again. Every first and third Saturday from 9AM-Noon the Olmsted Park Conservancy welcomes volunteers to Cherokee Park.

Restoring health to woodlands, ponds, meadows and other natural areas takes a lot of hands-on efforts. Through the Park Champions program, you can volunteer to root out invasive plants, rebuild trails, and restore native plant communities. It's a great way to learn about the environment, make new friends, get some exercise, and have fun-all while making the parks a more beautiful place to be. Questions about the program can be directed to Sarah Wolff, Louisville Olmsted Parks Conservancy's Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator (sarah.wolff@olmstedparks.org) or by calling 432-2677.

Meet at the Chauffeur's Rest parking lot on Barrett Hill Road, between Sulgrave & Gray Fox Roads near the tennis courts.

Visit www.olmstedparks.org for more information.

Olmstead Parks also has opportunities for volunteering at Iroquois and Shawnee parks. Complete schedule of 2008 volunteer dates after the jump.

I know it's cold and all but I just don't see the need to name winter events for arctic animals. That being said the Polar Bear Cleanup scheduled for Saturday February 9, 2008 is a very good volunteer opportunity to clean up Bardstown Road.

As part of the Mayor's Anti-Litter Citizen Task Force and the Brightside Beautiful Business Program, we are asking you to come out for a clean up of Bardstown Road from Baxter Avenue to Goldsmith Lane. We will meet at the Mid City Mall Parking lot starting at 8:30 a.m. Brightside will hand out bags, gloves, rakes and shovels.

Bearno's Pizza will provide lunch for those who participate in this important effort to restore Louisville's historic corridor to it's original charm by eliminating unsightly trash and litter!

It's the first part of the month. That means it's time for another reminder about volunteering with the Park Champions program.

Be a Park Champion!

Spend one day a year or a few hours each month taking part in our volunteer program. Park Champions meet on a regular schedule.

Restoring health to woodlands, ponds, meadows and other natural areas takes a lot of hands-on efforts. Through the Park Champions program, you can volunteer to root out invasive plants, rebuild trails, and restore native plant communities. It's a great way to learn about the environment, make new friends, get some exercise, and have fun-all while making the parks a more beautiful place to be. Questions about the program can be directed to Sarah Wolff, Louisville Olmsted Parks Conservancy's Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator (sarah.wolff@olmstedparks.org) or by calling 432-2677.

Meet at the Chauffeur's Rest parking lot on Barrett Hill Road, between Sulgrave & Gray Fox Roads near the tennis courts.

Visit www.olmstedparks.org for more information.

Your next opportunity for volunteering is Saturday January 5, 2008 9AM-Noon

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

Community Involvement filter:

Restoring health to woodlands, ponds, meadows and other natural areas takes a lot of hands-on efforts. Through the PARK CHAMPIONS program, you can volunteer to root out invasive plants, rebuild trails, and restore native plant communities. It's a great way to learn about the environment, make new friends, get some exercise, and have fun-all while making the parks a more beautiful place to be. Questions about the program can be directed to Sarah Wolff, Louisville Olmsted Parks Conservancy's Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator (sarah.wolff@olmstedparks.org) or by calling 432-2677.

Meet at the Chauffeur's Rest parking lot on Barrett Hill Road, between Sulgrave & Gray Fox Roads near the tennis courts.

Visit www.olmstedparks.org for more information

Saturday November 3
9AM-Noon