Irving Berlin and Louisville

Not sure what to do with Grandma and Grandpa while they are visiting Louisville for the holidays? Queue up a copy of Irving Berlin's White Christmas from 1954. Netflix streams it, and your local library and video stores likely have copies for borrowing. Enjoy the music and watch the family friendly film starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney. The story is about a song and dance team who meet a pair of sisters, also entertainers, and follow them to the failing Vermont inn of their former commanding officer.

White Christmas at the Frazier History Museum

The next day pay a visit to the Frazier History Museum at 829 W. Main Street where Irving Berlin's White Christmas, The Exhibit is on display until January 11. The exhibit features memorabilia and costumes that are on loan from the Rosemary Clooney House in Augusta, Kentucky. Getting a glimpse of these items immediately following or preceding the viewing of the movie adds an unusual connection to the film enhancing its entertainment value.

When You're Down in Louisville

Irving Berlin was a prolific song writer with a catalog of work that is overwhelming. A search through his body of work reveals that long before he wrote White Christmas, Irving Berlin wrote a song titled When You're Down in Louisville. The lyrics are especially appropriate to the holidays, as Louisville is welcoming out of town visitors

Goodbye, ev'rybody, I'm on my way to Louisville
I feel, oh, so happy I hardly can keep still
Although my home is very small, I invite you all
If you will come, you'll be welcome any time you call

Don't forget Don't forget
When you're down in Louisville Louisville, Louisville
Just call around, I'll be found in the town directory

I'll have the table set
No fancy dishes
But the things you get
Will all be delicious
And you're just as welcome as can be

About the Author:  Joe Hayden is the Team Owner and Manager of the Joe Hayden Real Estate Team - Your Louisville Real Estate Experts!

Are you Ready for Tax Time, Louisville?

Ringing in the new year means gathering up all your financial information for tax preparation. The last week of December is the time to make sure you have completed all of the transactions for the year and organize your financial records. You still have a few days to take advantage of year end tax benefits.

Is Your Wallet Too Fat?

If you let your favorite local charity take your extra money off your hands in 2014, you will be able to write off the contribution on this year's tax return. If you don't have a favorite, consider giving to one of the local animal shelters or homeless shelters. If your passion is children, Home of the Innocents at 1100 E. Market Street may be the right choice. Music lovers may choose to support the Louisville Orchestra. The choice is yours to make, but time is running out to realize the tax benefits for 2014.

Is There a Shredder in Your Life?

Post holiday sales are insane. If you don't have a shredder, now may be the time to get one cheap. Put a shredder on your shopping list and check the prices during the after-Christmas sales. As you sort through your financial documents and old records, shredding the unwanted as you go will keep you on top of the clutter. You may decide to keep tearing everything up by hand. If not, you will hopefully save a few bucks on your purchase during the last week of December.

Are Your Closets Overly Full?

Load up your unwanted things and get them to donation centers during the last week of December. Those receipts they hand you equal tax deductions for 2014. Put them all together and make notes about the 2014 donations. What was donated and its value are all information you will need when you start to prepare the tax forms. Doing it while it is still fresh in your mind will lead to a more accurate accounting of the donation. If you are in a hurry, snap a few photos of the items.  Print and attach to the receipt for a quick reminder at a later date.

About the Author:  Joe Hayden is the Team Owner and Manager of the Joe Hayden Real Estate Team - Your Louisville Real Estate Experts!

New Year's Resolution to Eat Louisville

While everyone else is resolving to eat less and work out more, a better resolution to make is to eat your way through the Louisville in 2015.  Louisville chefs are culinary geniuses who will introduce you to new foods and beverages all year long. The new experiences will widen your view of the world and your social activities have the opportunity to grow during this adventure, both desirable attributes of a resolution resulting in a better you for 2015.

Forming the Resolution

This is not an inexpensive endeavor, so some front end planning will be necessary. Your resolution details can be tailored to your budget. Selecting a menu price range and frequency of visits should be first. Do you want to explore appetizers only?  Is fine dining your preference? Are afternoon visits for dessert only the way to go? Do you prefer to explore brunch or breakfast around the city?

 After narrowing your food focus, compare it to your budget to determine the proper frequency for your visits. Is this a 52 restaurant visits adventure with one per week or is it going to be a fine dining all out extravaganza on a once per month basis? Do you want to eat your way through the alphabet with a restaurant starting with each letter on a bi-weekly basis?

Making the List

The key to success with a resolution is the specifics. You must make the list. You must include dates. Researching restaurants is easily done via internet. Identify the targets. Whether you want to eat through a food blogger's recommendations or a magazine's top picks of 2014, is irrelevant. Find what appeals to you and tie it to the dates on your calendar.  Once your calendar is set, you can invite friends or family to join you in the successful implementation of your New Year's resolution.

Engaging Others in Your Activities

Completion and success are more likely to occur when you announce your intentions. Blogging about your resolution experiences or sharing it through social media will make it known that you have set a goal and that the progress is fun. You will be eating prime rib while your fitness bound friends are on the treadmill checking Facebook. Within a few weeks, they will be calling to join you. Creating blog posts about your food adventures will add another aspect of growth to the resolution through becoming a better writer and/or developing a new skill set. This resolution has winner written all over it. Bon appetite!

About the Author:  Joe Hayden is the Team Owner and Manager of the Joe Hayden Real Estate Team - Your Louisville Real Estate Experts!

Out of Control December Calorie Consumption

It starts with the leftover pieces of pumpkin and pecan pie on Thanksgiving Day. Someone had to eat them. Then there are the beautifully decorated cookies on the community food counter in the office, they were irresistible.  The next thing you know the neighbors are bringing over a tub full of fudge, and Poof! it disappears. Two cocktail parties later, you can't get the zipper closed on your little black dress and don't understand how it happened so quickly.

Countering the Intake with Ice Skating in Louisville

The antidote to holiday pound creep is ice skating. Burning off the calories consumed when you ate the garage from the gingerbread house is easy when you hit the ice at one of Louisville's skating rinks. Two outdoor skating areas are open in December. WinterSkate is located at the Steinbaugh Pavilion in Historic Downtown Louisville at 824 Front Street. WinterSkate offers the old-fashioned outdoor, holiday ice skating experience complete with traditional holiday music.

 
Concessions are available at WinterSkate, but you might consider skipping the snacks if your purpose for the trip is to reduce. The other outdoor skating option in Louisville is at Fourth Street Live! through December 26 as part of the Forty Nights of Lights celebration. The rink uses a synthetic ice which means it is open for your calorie burning laps even if temperatures are above freezing.

Indoor Skating Rinks in Louisville

Don't let the weather be a deterrent to adding ice skating to your workout regime. Louisville is home to two indoor ice rinks, too. Iceland Sports Complex at 1701 UPS Drive and Alpine Ice Arena at 1825 Gardiner Lane both have regular public skating hours listed on their schedules. A word of warning as you dream of perfecting your double axle or triple toe loop - the ice is hard, so remember your limitations!

About the Author:  Joe Hayden is the Team Owner and Manager of the Joe Hayden Real Estate Team - Your Louisville Real Estate Experts!

Louisville's Last Minute Shopping Guide for Christmas

Gift buying procrastinators of all varieties, read up. The calendar pages were torn off one by one while everyone around you was out shopping and preparing for the holidays. The clock is ticking now and you have a few short hours remaining to both start and finish your shopping. Here is a last-minute shopping guide for Christmas shopping in Louisville.

Hours on the Last Day of Shopping

Mall St. Mathews will be open from 8:00am until 6:00pm on Christmas Eve. Oxmoor Center is following the same schedule. Jefferson Mall will open at 7:00am and give you until 6:00pm to finish your shopping. If you are among the worst of the waiters or thought inspiration would strike and it didn't, the old standbys can still save the day. Target and Wal-mart are open later. The Bashford Manor Target at 3600 Mall Road is open until 10:00pm on Christmas Eve as are several other mass retailers.

Ideas for Last Minute Gifts

Google a drink recipe that sounds good. Print, or better still, hand write a recipe card. Your neighborhood liquor store will have the ingredients and you can wrap everything to look like you were well-prepared. Grab a bunch of fresh flowers at the grocery for your host. Gift cards are nice, but get a whole lot more interesting when they are creatively presented. Put one inside a deck of themed playing cards and include a cigar or snack item as part of the gift.

The Hail Mary Gift

When the clock is striking one hour until the gathering and you are still gift-less, the options are diminishing too. The ATM is still open and so are the gas stations. Lottery tickets, cash and candy bars become the options. The coupon book for redeeming your services throughout the year is a go to for some, and as long as you follow through, it is a respectable gift. Consider wash your car, mow your grass and cook you dinner as opposed to the hug coupon if you want some real appreciation for this gift.

About the Author:  Joe Hayden is the Team Owner and Manager of the Joe Hayden Real Estate Team - Your Louisville Real Estate Experts!

Big Closet Clean Out of 2014

Killing two birds with one stone has long been the statement used to describe the epitome of efficiency.  During the busiest time of the year we certainly look for these opportunities whenever possible. One is upon us. The holidays mean visitors to Louisville from out of town and big family gatherings for many of us. This also means that we have to make room for the guests to feel at home and have the storage space to support the extra food requirements and a place to hide gifts. Unfortunately, most of us have closets that are a mess and packed beyond full meaning it is the perfect time for the Big Closet Clean Out of 2014. That second bird gets killed when you have it completed before the end of the year, and a receipt for a big fat tax deduction is in your hand.

Tips for Clearing Space in the Closets

A few tips for getting started may help.  Start with the guest room closet, the kitchen pantry and the coat closet. These three spots are the most likely to get a real holiday workout. Tackle one per evening, completely clearing it and setting aside all items that are unused and/or unwanted. To keep the task manageable remember that single closet clean out should consume no more than thirty minutes of your time.

 Make your goal a defined amount of empty space in each closet. At the end of the three days, assess your donation pile for any items that may garner more cash as a sale item than a tax deduction. On the fourth day list your sale items on your favorite sale site and load your vehicle with the donation items.

Where to Make a Donation

Louisville is home to several organizations who accept donations of clothing and household goods for resale in their thrift stores. Many offer a pickup service. St. Vincent de Paul has three Louisville thrift store locations. The profits from these stores are used in direct support of facilities for the homeless. Well known national organizations like Salvation Army and Goodwill have a presence in Louisville and locations scattered around the city. Selecting a local organization who accepts donations is the preference of many people who like to see their items benefit the community in which they live. Louisville has no shortage of organizations who will assist you in disposing of the donate pile from your Big Closet Clean Out of 2014.

About the Author:  Joe Hayden is the Team Owner and Manager of the Joe Hayden Real Estate Team - Your Louisville Real Estate Experts!

Light Up Louisville November 28

Santa Claus is coming to town, and he is going to light it up! The 2014 Light Up Louisville festivities, which have become a tradition for many of Louisville's families, have expanded to create an even bigger and better celebration of the kickoff of the holiday season. A parade, fireworks and the introduction of Forty Nights of Lights are all set to occur downtown starting at Fourth and Main Streets and running to Fourth Street Live! The parade begins at 6:30pm.

LOL Themed Parade and Festivities

Santa Claus will arrive in the parade via his own personal float, designed in 1945, officially marking Day One of the Forty Nights of Lights when he presents Mayor Greg Fischer with the "Magic Plug" necessary for the lighting of the city. The anticipation over placing it in the socket will be overcome by cheers as Louisville's holiday lights are illuminated.

 
There is something truly magical about a night parade and all of its light covered participants. Residents are encouraged to create award worthy, original entries and participate in the festive parade. This year's theme is LOL - Lots of Lights.

Forty Nights of Lights

A new addition to Louisville's holiday celebration is the Forty Nights of Lights show along the Fourth Street corridor. The tree and street lights will be synchronized to music and light projections are planned for the sides of the buildings along the street. Put a handful of peppermints in your pocket, fill your thermos full of hot cocoa and head downtown for this wonderful Louisville holiday tradition.

About the Author:  Joe Hayden is the Team Owner and Manager of the Joe Hayden Real Estate Team - Your Louisville Real Estate Experts!

See the Holiday Classic Come to Life November 25

“A Christmas Carol” is one of the most-told stories in all of literature, and for good reason: it’s a great story. See it come to life this November 25 at the Actors Theater, one of Louisville’s best theaters. It’s the story you know, but you haven’t seen it told this way before.

A New Carol

Fifth Third Bank is presenting this version of “A Christmas Carol,” which features lots of music and elaborate visuals .  The entire play takes about one hour and 45 minutes, and there will be a 15-minute intermission. The Actors Theater is at 316 West Main Street, in Louisville’s theater district. This is a center of culture and excitement in the city, particularly during the holiday season.

New sets, costumes and classic holiday music will bring the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge to life on the stage. You’ll see all the classic characters, including the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. Student matinee and evening performances will be held all through the holiday season. The show is suitable for everyone aged 5 and up.

New and Old

The Actors Theater is just a few blocks north of historic Old Louisville. Some of the building here were built while Charles Dickens was writing stories like “A Christmas Carol” and all his other iconic novels. You’ll feel a little like you’ve transported to the time of Ebenezer Scrooge as you walk down the shaded streets. The tall, Victorian-era buildings tell the tale of Louisville’s past.

Old Louisville today is considered to be a modern, popular place to live. The people in the community appreciate the history, and love the convenience of living so close to all the excitement and amusement of downtown Louisville. Take the chance to take another look at Old Louisville when you go to see the show, and you may experience some Dickens-esque inspiration.

About the Author:  Joe Hayden is the Team Owner and Manager of the Joe Hayden Real Estate Team - Your Louisville Real Estate Experts!

Louisville City Football Club Tryouts November 22 and 23

Louisville City Football Club is the city's new professional soccer team. The team is a member of the USL Pro league, which is the third tier of Major League Soccer. The league has carved out a niche in smaller market cities around the country and become incredibly popular through local support in the highly competitive sport. Tryouts for the team are being held November 22 and 23 at Collegiate Fields. The tryouts are by invitation, but players may apply to be invited.

Meet the Coach on November 20

The excitement around the arrival of professional soccer in Louisville has prompted an enthusiastic season ticket sale.  Founding members of the club already have mailed their deposits to hold their place in line for preferred seats and are on the recipient list for all the benefits bestowed upon season ticket holders. Slugger Field open houses are scheduled for season ticket holders to choose their specific seats.

 

Following seat selection on November 20, Louisville City Football Club is hosting a gathering from 6:00pm until 8:00pm at Against the Grain, which is located at Slugger Field. Happy hour is being extended for this event where Head Coach James O'Connor and LCFC President Djorn Buchholz will answer fan questions.

Louisville City Football Club Season Tickets on Sale November 25

Season tickets to see the Louisville City Football Club in action start at $180 for the fifteen game regular season package. LCFC has assembled an enticing set of benefits including meet and greets and merchandise discounts for its season ticket holders. Season tickets are available to to general public on November 25.

About the Author:  Joe Hayden is the Team Owner and Manager of the Joe Hayden Real Estate Team - Your Louisville Real Estate Experts!

Two for the Road at Clifton Center November 16

Dick Sisto and Jeremy Allen will return to the stage at the Clifton Center, 2117 Payne Street in Louisville on Sunday night, November 16. The well known musicians have put together a project and show they have named ìTwo For the Roadî and are treating audiences to a performance of eclectic music that was selected for its contemplative and exciting aspects.

The set list includes both esoteric and classic jazz, Broadway standards and show tunes, original music, classical and easily recognized rock/pop compilations. The performance will be one of a kind with the uniqueness of interplay and freedom during the show.

Sit on the Eifler Theater Stage with the Duo

Dick Sisto has become a show regular this year at the Clifton Center and is joined for this show by his long time friend and band mate, Jeremy Allen. The audience will be seated directly on the stage with the duo at the Eifler Theater. This on stage audience location provides for the most intimate of musical performance seating. The ticket cost of ten dollars provides a value price for a close up seat to see the duo of vibraphonist, Dick Sisto, and bassist, Jeremy Allen, play in a cozy Louisville setting.

Both men are accomplished musicians who have enjoyed success beyond the reaches of the Midwest's regional jazz music scene. Allen has a masters degree in bass performance and shares a lot of the same perspectives on music with Sisto. Their interplay will be like a conversation during this show with solos that speak to one another in the tradition of many of the great jazz duos.

About the Author:  Joe Hayden is the Team Owner and Manager of the Joe Hayden Real Estate Team - Your Louisville Real Estate Experts!