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Do Your Louisville St. Patrick's Day Planning Now

02-25-12

Jessica Gaines - Louisville Gaines Real Estate

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Office: (502) 432-1918

With St. Patrick's Day fast approaching, it is time to plan your strategy to enjoy the variety of holiday events right here in Louisville. Though the day itself is on March 17, Louisville citizens enjoy the wearing of the green for over a week.

True St. Patrick's Day lovers prepare for the day beginning on March 3, with the annual Wearin’ of the Green Dinner Dance and auction at the Boys and Girls Haven Gymnasium. Since drinking is usually associated with St. Patrick's Day revelry, you won't want to miss the Blessing of the Beer on March 8 at the Bluegrass Brewing Company and Brew Pub. A parade will lead the way into the pub, where a Catholic priest will bless all the official beer of the St. Patrick's Day parade, Bourbon Barrel Stout, on hand in the brewery. The group will then proceed to up O’Shea’s on Baxter Ave. for the Tappin’ of the Keg. A representative of the Ancient Order of the Hiberians ( AOH) lead the crowd in prayer before the cask is tapped and served until it's gone. Let the holiday officially begin! Beer connoisseurs may sneak back to Bluegrass Brewing Company, for a taste of Celtic Hell, a beer aged in bourbon barrels for over a year.

The traditional St. Patrick's Day Parade is on Saturday, March 10, 2012. Prior to the parade, you can enjoy breakfast at St. Lewis Bertand’s O'Brien Hall, complete with entertainment by the McClanahan Irish step dancers and good food, followed by Mass at St. Louis Bertrand’s at noon. Winners of the St. Patrick's Day coloring contest will be announced at the breakfast as will the winner of the I wish Person/s of the Year.

This year’s parade theme is SHAMROCKS & SHILLELAGHS. Bands, decorated cars, and organizations will join the shamock, st patricks day parade at 3 PM that goes from the corner of Broadway and Baxter and down Baxter to Bardstown Road. The AOH is still taking applications for entries in the St. Patrick's day Parade.

On the day following the parade Sunday, March 11, you can combine holiday fun with a good cause. At The Saint Baldrick's Shaving Event at Fourth Street Live, you can shave your head in solidarity for children with cancer as Louisville participates in the world's largest volunteer driven fundraising event for childhood cancer research. You can volunteer to be shaved or participate as a barber, volunteer, or donor and then enjoy the festival like atmosphere of the day.

Throughout the week, Louisville has plenty of Irish bars where you and your designated driver can celebrate St. Patrick's Day, but you won't want to miss the big annual tent party on the 17th at Irish Rover Pub in Clifton- Crescent Hill.. You can enjoy traditional live music Irish dancing, food, beer, Irish whiskey, and "Cead Mile Failte" – “One Hundred Thousand Welcomes.” If you're in Oldham County, you can visit the Irish Rover Too in Lagrange.

Whether you're Irish or not, there is plenty to enjoy in the weeks before St. Patrick's Day and throughout the year in Louisville. If you're interested in making the lively Louisville area your home, contact me, Jessica Gaines, your Louisville real estate resource, a call today. Whether you need a starter home for your first job or a mansion that proclaims your success to the world, we have it all in Louisville. I'm a Louisville native and I can lead you to your new home.

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Rebuilding after the Storm - Louisville’s Crescent Hill

05-04-11

Jessica Gaines - Louisville Gaines Real Estate

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Office: (502) 432-1918

Rebuilding Louisville The last two weeks have seen the Midwest and the South devastated by one of the biggest outbreaks of deadly tornadoes we have seen in the last 37 years. It brings back haunting memories for many people in Louisville. In April of 1974 the Tornado Super Outbreak touched the lives of the people of Louisville in a very dramatic way. But out of the devastation, one Louisville neighborhood came back stronger than ever! There is hope for those communities that have been destroyed; may you find hope for rebuilding after the storm in the story of Louisville's Crescent Hill.

Before the Storm

Just four miles east of Louisville's downtown area, you will find Crescent Hill. One of the first things people notice about Crescent Hill is the small hometown feel. Frankfort Avenue runs right through its heart with shops, bakeries and great places to eat. This road was actually the original pioneer road; the Louisville-Lexington Turnpike. Crescent Hill was officially annexed into Louisville in the late 1800's and was a thriving community where the prominent citizens of Louisville lived.

Crescent Hill has always had a great sense of community, the residencts have taken great pride in their town. Over the years, several neighborhood clubs have emerged to keep Crescent Hill a thriving community. These clubs have helped this small suburb overcome many obstacles brought to its doors by changing times and even by Mother Nature herself.

The Storm

Crescent Hill faced several challenges in its history. The city opened its doors to its neighboring communities in 1937 when downtown Louisville was flooded. It survived the great suburban exodus of the 1950's. But it was the storm of 1974 that dealt the greatest blow as a tornado nearly destroyed the area.

April 3-4 of 1974 is known as the Super Tornado Outbreak. Tornadoes ripped through the South and Midwest killing 315 people, injuring more than 6000 and causing nearly 600 million dollars in damage. There were estimated to be 148 tornadoes that touched down across 13 states, 23 F4's and 6 F5 storms. In Kentucky, there were 26 tornadoes alone; one of those tore right through the heart of Louisville. It was even caught on film by WHAS 11 as it ravaged the area.

Rebuilding After the Storm

The storm of April 3, 1974 was a life changing event for the residents of Crescent Hill, but in true Kentucky form, they showed great resolve and rebuilt their town and made it better than ever. In October of 2009, Southern Living magazine honored Crescent Hill as one of the South's Comeback Neighborhoods in recognition of the community has done to rebuild and remake itself over the years. It shows how hard work and a strong sense of community helped to make Crescent Hill what it is today.

April 2011 will go down as a month that brought great devastation to many communities. So far, they are estimating there have been 164 tornadoes across 8 states with over 300 people who have lost their lives. Here in Louisville we are praying for all of those affected by these storms. We have been where you are, and hope that in the days to come, you find the strength to rebuild and come back stronger than before.

If you would like to know more about Crescent Hill or any of Louisville's great communities, call Jessica Gaines, she is your local real estate resource!

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Crescent Hill named a Best Comeback Neighborhood

04-21-11

Joe Hayden - Louisville, KY Homes for Sale

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Office: (502) 442-0721

Mobile: (502) 641-3776

Southern Living magazine has named the Crescent Hill neighborhood on its list of ‘Best Comeback Neighborhoods!’ Crescent Hill is a quaint, 2 square mile neighborhood situated 4 miles east of downtown Louisville, Kentucky. 6,717 people call Crescent Hill their home.

Southern Living credits walkability, locally owned establishments, and the friendly residents of Crescent Hill as its ‘comeback’ features. The neighborhood is full of lovely cottages and historic homes that date back to the 1800’s. The Crescent Hill Art & Music Festival happens in July and the Frankfort Avenue Fat Friday Trolley Hop is a short walk away, happening the last Friday of every month! Locals enjoy a quiet afternoon in Carmichael’s Bookstore, a ‘Fat Jimmy’ pie at the local pizzeria, a bagel fix at Nancy’s Bagel Grounds, and get their “jolts” at Heine Brother’s Coffee. Retailers are constantly moving into Crescent Hill, with The Comfy Cow moving into a renovated house in 2011.

Crescent Hill residents enjoy a quiet, neighborhood feel, but love the conveniences of walking to restaurants and shops. They love history and always have a story attached to their home or favorite local business. This is another reason why Crescent Hill is considered one of the best comeback neighborhoods and is a great place to call home!

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