Friend of Lou I Louisville's Ambassadors of What's Possible Here

Famous Pop Artist Proved Wrong in Louisville

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:06:39 +0000

Andy Warhol, Eat Your Heart Out
In most places around the world, apparently, it takes as long as 15 minutes to get famous.

But not in Possibility City.

Maybe it’s because we get things done without a fuss, or maybe it’s because we like to make things easy. Either way, once a year someone comes to Louisville and earns international fame in about two minutes. Watch how it’s done, and meet a few other celebs on the way:

Click below to escape obscurity.

Friend of Lou Gets a Grown-Up Sister

admin — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:44:46 +0000

Don’t Let the Youthful Looks Fool You
Possibility City and Greater Louisville Inc. are delighted to welcome the arrival of Louisville’s newest treasure.

Weighing 46K and measuring 780 pixels wide, we proudly introduce CITY, a one-page online newsletter.

Despite her youth, CITY is a mature delivery who brings you business news at the beginning of every month. No frills, no fancy headlines . . . just concise, useful information on topics that affect our local economy and quality of life.

Join the Family: Sign Up Now
Better yet, just like her sister publication, Friend of Lou, CITY is completely free. Just click here to meet and subscribe to Louisville’s important new youngster.

Messages of Congratulation and Support
If you’d like to wish CITY a more personal welcome, please write to city@greaterlouisville.com.

2012 Kentucky Derby Winner Announced!

admin — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:10:12 +0000

Dear Friends and Gentle Hearts:

Just moments ago, the field for the 138th Kentucky Derby was set. Cleverly hidden somewhere in the list of contending horses is the 2012 winner. Feeling prognosticate-y? Take a look at the field below and pit your choice against other Friends of Lou. Feeling confident? After making your selection, put your pick in the comments section below. We’ll pick one winner to receive special Derby swag, the public’s adoration, and the inevitable comparisons to Nostradamus.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Looking for a more sure thing? You can always count on the Friend of Lou Derby eCard. It’s perfect for any weather situation, and looks great in seersucker. Please click HERE to send a personalized eCard.

Why Louisville’s Cool — In Black and White

admin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:27:01 +0000

Do Not Adjust Your Monitor . . .
Looks as if we’re in for a grey weekend, so we thought we’d add a little color to your day by sharing these awesome images sent in by a Friend of Lou, Larry Horn. Aside from being cool, they’re a nice reminder of what’s possible here.

Recognize these locations? Give us your best bet in the comments section below. We’ll pluck one lucky winner to shower with Possibility City swag. (And in color, too.)

If you have any photographs you’d like to share, just upload them to our Flickr page. (Photos courtesy of the University of Louisville Photographic Archives.)

Louisville Wins NCAA*

admin — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:30:43 +0000

*National Compassion Award Accolades
Louisville’s always been known for its friendliness, its warmth, and its welcoming spirit — not just toward visitors and guests, but for those who are already part of our community. So it’s not surprising that Possibility City was just named the recipient of the 2012 International Model City Award, an honor bestowed on the world’s most compassionate communities. Compassionate Action Network International is a worldwide network of individuals, organizations, and cities that has affirmed the Charter for Compassion and is working to create cultures of compassion locally and globally . . . and this year (humble fanfare, please) Louisville is its honoree!

We can’t guarantee you’ll win an international award, of course, but there are lots of things you can do either to be compassionate or to contribute to Louisville’s compassionate nature. For example:

If You *Love* Louisville,
*Like* Friend of Lou
Every great, awe-inspiring journey begins with a small step: like setting foot on the moon, being the first to climb Everest, discovering penicillin . . . or visiting us on Facebook.

That’s right. By going to the Friend of Lou Facebook page and simply posting “WE CAN!” you’ll be making a symbolic statement about our city’s commitment to compassion. But don’t stop there. . . .

How About a World Record for Compassion?
Soon we’ll have an opportunity to make Louisville’s commitment to compassion even better known . . . while setting a record in the process. Mayor Greg Fischer recently announced the Give a Day Week of Service initiative (April 14–22) with a goal of setting a world record for volunteering and “acts of compassion.”

And you can help. Share this email with your friends. Then click through to visit the Give a Day site to volunteer for an existing project, add your organization’s work, or report your own service. Needs are many and various and any act of kindness counts.

Give a Day Week of Service
Annual events such as the Crusade for Children and the Bell Awards have long shown Louisville’s commitment to helping those in need — most recently, of course, the outpouring for nearby tornado victims. When you volunteer to help — like assisting your neighbors with some difficult chores, or taking them a warm meal, or helping them clean up — you’re supporting not only them, you’re supporting Louisville. And when you donate blood to the Red Cross, or food to Dare To Care, or shoes to EDGE Outreach, you’re doing more than helping those who directly benefit: You’re making a difference across the entire community.

Did You Know?

The soon-to-be-annual Give a Day week (April 14-22) leads up to, and is part of, the Kentucky Derby Festival.
Louisville’s Muhammad Ali Center is known for its global outreach “to promote respect, hope and understanding.”
Dare To Care Food Bank provided over 12 million meals to 192,000 needy people in the Kentuckiana area.
EDGE Outreach is one of the world’s leading distributors and installers of water-purification systems in developing communities.

The Stars Align in Louisville

admin — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 21:18:07 +0000

Center of the Sporting Universe
Sports fans know that Louisville’s spectacular KFC Yum! Center is hosting the second and third rounds of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament this week. Word of Louisville’s hospitality and love of sports has clearly gotten around, because that’s just the beginning of a championship-filled year for Possibility City.

Beginning in May with golf, tennis, softball and lacrosse, through December’s volleyball tilt, Louisville will host 1,000 student-athletes, and 9 NCAA tournament championships will be decided.

Louisville’s Six Appeal
We start with the NCAA DII Spring National Championships Festival, which will crown 6 champions. Women’s golf tees off at Persimmon Ridge, while the men take the links at theCardinal Club. The Top Gun Tennis Academy and EP “Tom” Sawyer State Park host men’s and women’s tennis. Women’s softball and lacrosse take the fields at Bellarmine University. Action for each sports begins on May 14, so choose your events carefully. The choice gets more difficult on May 19, when all championships will be decided.

For most cities, those 6 championships would be more than they could handle. But not Louisville. On November 17, the men’s and women’s cross country championship runs into EP “Tom” Sawyer State Park. And to wrap up the year, women’s volleyball will pick its champion at the KFC Yum! Center on Dec. 13 and 15.

Here’s Your Chance To Bring Home the Gold
Speaking of year-round sports, the Louisville Sports Commission will raffle off a package that will blow the mind of any sports lover. It’s called the Golden Ticket, but that hardly does it justice. The lucky winner will receive two tickets to each regular season home football and basketball game for UofL or UK.

In addition – yeah, in addition! – they receive tickets for:

2012 Kentucky Oaks
2012 Kentucky Derby
Louisville Bats season
Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway (Bluegrass Club access)
Bellarmine University men’s regular season home basketball games
2012 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball National Championship
2013 Cyclocross World Championships (VIP credentials)

Tickets are $100, but only 300 will be sold. You don’t need to be anywhere at a certain time to win. The drawing is April 24. Get your tickets here, or email Julie Howell.

More Louisville Love from the National Media
The NCAA isn’t the only group to have noticed all the great times to be had in Louisville. U.S. News and World Report is just out with its list of 12 Best Weekend Getaways, and not surprisingly, Louisville has snagged one of the spots. So get on over there and vote for Louisville as your champion destination.

Blood, Sweat, and Tires in Possibility City

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:41:47 +0000

Attention: Gear Heads and Gutter Bunnies
Calling all gear heads and gutter bunnies, vultures and BSGs. This weekend, the gnarliest mud boggers from around the globe will descend on Louisville to shred the trails, catch some air, negotiate around baby heads and death cookies, and avoid the dreaded bonk. (In other words, the Masters Cyclocross World Championships are coming to the U.S.A. for the first time, at Eva Bandman Park’s world-class cyclocross course.)

Cyclocross — a combination of mountain biking, road biking, and trail running — has skyrocketed in popularity during recent years. Riders tackle several laps on a short course that could be pavement or wooded trails or steep grassy hills. And to keep it interesting, some obstacles are so freakin’ arduous that the rider may have to carry his or her bike. We’re talking muddy slopes and boulders here, dudes.

A Different Type of Tailgating
So all you sportsmen and bike commuters, spectators and Bike Store Guys, come check out the world-class competition this weekend. Eva Bandman Park is just down River Road from the KFC Yum! Center. Racing starts on Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 a.m., giving you plenty of time to get to the UofL basketball game.

But don’t get too inspired. The last thing you want is an involuntary dismount leading to an endo and crash rash. That would suck.

Did you know?

Cyclocross probably began in Europe in the early 20th century, when riders would cut across fields racing from town to town.
The Nulu neighborhood recently unveiled a really cool bike rack sculpted from bourbon barrel wood and steel.
Looking to join a racing team? Louisville has many.
Baby heads and death cookies are nicknames for small, dangerous rocks along a bike trail.

Global Warning Issued for Louisville!

admin — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:01:55 +0000

Four Seasons, One Possibility City
Here in Louisville, we’re fortunate to enjoy the four seasons in their full splendor. And while winter is one of our most beautiful seasons, sadly, it doesn’t last long. That lovely blanket of snow will melt before you can calculate how much rock salt you’ll need to make the sidewalk safe.

The Louisville Snow Globe
But not anymore! This year, you can experience the beauty of new snowfall whenever you like. Even when you’re on the go! Introducing the new miniature Louisville snow globe, fresh off the Possibility City snow globe manufacturing line, featuring all of Louisville’s famous landmarks! (This snow is guaranteed not to melt.)

Shop in Your Jammies
While we’re talking about seasons, another big season is just around that snow-covered corner. And what better way to celebrate than kicking it off from the comfort of your own home? Both snow globes are available at these Web sites: www.GoToLouisville.com, or www.ItsPossibleHere.com, or www.ATasteofKentucky.com. The big one is $29.95. The miniature one is only $9.95, making it a perfect stocking stuffer for your favorite Louisville lover.

Christmas at the Galt House Hotel
Speaking of sparkling holiday finery, check out something on a much larger scale: Christmas at the Galt House Hotel. A display of lighted holiday sculptures, the KaLightoscope Attraction is bigger and better for 2011, and shouldn’t be missed. It runs through January 3, 2012.Read more about it here.

Did You Know?

Last year, nearly 50% of Cyber Monday (Monday following Thanksgiving) sales were made from computers at offices. (It wasn’t us though. Promise. We were busy. Working.)
Mayor Greg Fischer declared the city “ready for snow” on November 15, 2011.
Average yearly snowfall in Possibility City is 18 inches. (Really? Can that be true?)

Dream Another Season, Win Prizes
What would YOU name a season? Not to suggest greed in the face of such seasonal riches, but have you ever wished for a season with only your favorite things? Like Derbyus, when it’s Derby all the time. Or . . . or . . . Hoopivus, when it’s always basketball season! Give us your suggestions in the comments section below and we’ll set the winner up with a prize package including both sizes of the Louisville snow globe, or a Christmas Pack from the Louisville Bats. Keep them for yourselves, or give them as gifts. After all, ’tis the season.

Thanksgiving Eve Celebration @ Molly Malone’s

admin — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:39:19 +0000

Happy Best Day of the Year!

What’s better than Thanksgiving? (Not being hungover on Thanksgiving doesn’t count.) That’s right! The night beforeThanksgiving.

Join Friends of Lou to celebrate the beginning and best day of the holiday season. No parents, no in-laws, no cousins, no uncles. Just pure Louisville goodness and our grand tradition of hooking up with friends old and new for this special night.

Whether you’re coming back to Louisville for the weekend, or just starting the weekend early, join us for a Lou-Lovers Celebration on Wednesday, November 23, from 9 p.m. – 12 a.m. at Molly Malone’s in the Highlands.

We’ll be hanging out by the Snapshot Photo Booth at the front door. Stop by, say hello, and get some sweet Louisville swag:

“Chillin’ Like a Lou-ville’n” koozies
“I Heart Louisville” and “That’s Not the Bourbon Talking” T-shirts
Gift certificates to local places including Louisville Originals, WHY Louisville Store, Molly Malone’s, and more!

One lucky Friend of Lou will also win Louisville’s Signature Bourbon Package from Bourbon Country. (Don’t tell anyone, but the main ingredient of the package is bourbon.)

So grab your friends or call your friends or come make new friends. Come on down to Molly Malone’s to win prizes and kick off the holiday season the way we do it here in Possibility City!

Molly Malone’s in the Highlands
933 Baxter Avenue
Louisville, KY 40204-2046
(502) 473-1222

Great News, Possibilitators! The Bridge Is Closed!

admin — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:26:41 +0000

Because Nothing’s Impossible Here
You know, when one of your city’s greatest assets is accessibility, losing a main artery between states could make thing impossible.

Unless, of course, one of your other greatest assets is your ability to overcome the impossible . . . in which case, it would be another opportunity to show the world how incredibly cool Louisvillians are.

Possibility City comes by its name honestly: Our community is strong because instead of saying “No” we say “How?” Instead of saying “Or” we say “And.” And instead of hanging our heads and kvetching, we roll up our sleeves and keep making sure things happen. Not only that, but we get things done with a smile.

Hoosier Buddy?
So when, in early September, the Sherman Minton Bridge closed, it was only a matter of days before the resourceful folks of Kentuckiana began figuring out ways not only to work around the giant lemon they’d been handed, but to make some city-sized lemonade.

For a start, it drew attention to how close Southern Indiana and Louisville’s needs are — we truly are one community separated by a river. It fostered relations and communication between us, and both sides of the river are now actively engaged in finding ways to support each other.

It’s made people realize how lucky we are to have so few traffic headaches — heck, even with this closure, most of us are still only looking at a 20-minute commute to anywhere in town. And unless it’s rush hour, getting across the bridge still isn’t that time-consuming or difficult.

Small Business, Big Deal
One of the things that makes us special is that we’ve got an incredibly robust and diverse community of small businesses that all happily coexist with the big businesses. But with the bridge closure, these little community jewels are seeing fewer visitors. And there are no prizes for guessing that this is about the worst time of year for that to happen. From Huber’sto Derby Dinner Playhouse and from Bearno’s by the Bridge to Bunbury Theatre, small businesses can always use your patronage. So make an extra effort over the next few months to pay them a visit and keep it local.

Another great way to do this would be to check out Small Business Saturday, a national initiative dedicated to supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year.

Are You a True Possibilitator?
If you can see opportunity where others see barriers. If you can see the light where others only see the tunnel. If you can stand in front of a mountain and wonder where the mole is. If you can see a slightly bruised sprig of mint, some sugar, and a shot of bourbon and think . . . “Now there’s a good idea!” Then you, my friend, are a bona fide Friend of Lou Possibilitator.

Here are some things a Possibilitator would say about the bridge:

In the time it takes me to merge onto Hurstbourne on Saturday, I could already be at the Target in Clarksville.
It buys us six more months before we need to repaint it.
It draws attention to the word “Kentuckiana” — and that we need to find a better one.
IU fans are now more likely to buy Rick Pitino T-shirts.

If you feel a kindred spirit of positivity, how about sharing your thoughts by clicking here and writing them in the Comments section.

Better yet, if you’re not already an OFFICIAL Possibilitator, sign up here. (Or if you are, send the link to someone in Southern Indiana and tell them Lou wants to be their friend.)

Did You Know?
Local businesses are what help keep Louisville and Southern Indiana so cool. If you want more information about this valuable sector, check these links out: