Today’s Forecast

79º | Sunny | 2% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:23 a.m. | Sunset 8:56 p.m.

🐢 Don’t touch the turtles

Eastern box turtles are out and about in Louisville

Eastern box turtle sleeping in the forest

An eastern box turtle hatchling makes its way around Louisville Nature Center. | Photo by Louisville Nature Center

Eastern box turtles hibernate during winter and emerge in late April or early May, which means they’re starting to pop up around Louisville.

Charlie Combs, Americorps Environmental Education Leadership Member and Environmental Educator at Louisville Nature Center explained that it’s currently prime time for eastern box turtles to get moving, as food and other resources are more readily available in the springtime.

They often live in shrubby grasslands, marshy meadows, and open woodlands — think Beckley Creek Park and The Parklands.

If you see one of these reptiles — which are identified by their high-domed + rounded hard upper shell with vivid orange and yellow markings — let it be. Moving an eastern box turtle can be detrimental to its health.

“They get a mental map of the area they were born in,” Charlie said. “If they lose that map, they lose the sense of where everything they need is.”

Eastern Box Turtle sitting in a person's hand — A Louisville Nature Center pro holds a turtle in this pic, but remember — if you find one in the wild, let it be.
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Photo by Louisville Nature Center

Charlie added that the turtles will only venture out far enough from their birthplace to find an area they feel is safe and can produce enough food. Once they’ve found the right spot, that becomes their permanent residence.

If the turtle is moved from what it has deemed its forever home, it will spend all its resources trying to get back to where it came from — which puts it at high risk for injury and death. Eastern box turtles trying to find their way might encounter cars, lawnmowers, or bigger animals.

When left in its natural habitat, an eastern box turtle’s lifespan is typically 30 to 50 years. Charlie added that when well cared for, rescued turtles — or those bred and raised in captivity — will live for nearly a century.

Louisville Nature Center offers numerous family-friendly educational programs about plants, turtles + other animals. For more kid-friendly activity ideas, check out this guide.

Asked

True or False: Eastern box turtles will eat almost anything, including berries, insects, roots, flowers, eggs, and amphibians.

Take a guess

Events

Thursday, May 11

Noah Thompson | Thursday, May 11 | 8 p.m. | Mercury Ballroom, 611 S. 4th St., Louisville | $30 | See this construction-worker-turned-singer who won the 20th season of “American Idol.”

Friday, May 12

A Midsummer Night’s Dream | Friday, May 12 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Louisville Nature Center, 3745 Illinois Ave., Louisville | $10-$25 | Three Witches Shakespeare presents a fresh new rendition of this classic tale, staged on the edges of the forest with Y2K flair and raucous humor.
Playcosystem Happy Hour | Friday, May 12 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, 2075 Clermont Rd., Clermont | $5-$10 | This is an evening for grownups to gather, have a bit of fun, meet others, build a box fort, and share a playground together — all while enjoying adult beverages and food truck grub.

Saturday, May 13

Over The Edge | Saturday, May 13 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Hyatt Regency Louisville, 320 W. Jefferson St., Louisville | Free | Raise funds for cancer programs then rappel down the 18-story Hyatt Regency Hotel — or watch from the cheer section.
Maker’s Bark-Fest! | Saturday, May 13 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Woodhaven Country Club, 7200 Woodhaven Rd., Louisville | Free | Celebrate all things canine at this dog- and family-friendly event boasting local, artisan booths.

Sunday, May 14

Mother’s Day at the Speed | Sunday, May 14 | 12-5 p.m. | Speed Art Museum, 2035 S. 3rd St., Louisville | Free | Show mom some love by checking out the Speed’s galleries, pilates in the atrium, a mimosa bar, an art-making activity + a film screening.
Bubbly Brunch | Sunday, May 14 | 1 p.m. | Belle of Louisville, 401 W. River Rd., Louisville | $84-$86 | Sip on a mimosa or bloody Mary while enjoying a southern-style meal with live music aboard the 108-year-old steamboat — including her historic engine room, with VIP access to the Pilot House.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Biz

Barry Washington of Barry’s Cheesesteaks is going national. The local restaurant is bringing its signature cheesesteaks, wings, and fries to Indiana, Georgia, and New Jersey by way of a new franchise program. Barry’s has been in LOU since 2013 and has one location at 5408 Valley Station Rd. (The Courier-Journal)

Civic

Secretary of State Michael Adams predicts a 10% voter turnout for Kentucky’s primary election on Tuesday, May 16. His prediction is based on the low number of absentee ballots requested by voters, which is an early barometer for in-person turnout. If you’re voting, get the info you need here. (WLKY)

Community

The Louisville Zoo is welcoming entries for its Wild Lights photography contest. Photos of the 2023 Wild Lights event must be submitted via Facebook, as a comment on the call for submissions. Winners will receive four general admission tickets + have their photos featured on the zoo’s website and social media.

Arts

Kentucky College of Art and Design’s senior thesis exhibition will begin with an opening reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow, May 12. The exhibit will remain on display at the campus’s 849 gallery through Monday, July 31.

Listen

Louisville native and UofL Assistant Professor of Voice Emily Albrink is at the top of the Billboard charts. Her album “Force of Nature” — which explores a wide range of emotions and stories through a female lens — is ranked No. 1 on the Billboard’s chart of traditional classical albums.

Pets

LOU’s professional soccer clubs are holding a pet food drive. Fans can drop donations at Gate 4 on their way to the Louisville City FC game this Saturday, May 13, or at the Lynn Family Stadium team store, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Fact or Fiction

You don’t have to park your car when you fly out of Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) — just drop it off at Valet, and they’ll do it for you. See the answer.*

Sports

Batter up — Louisville Water’s Tapper is throwing out the first pitch at tonight’s Louisville Bats game. ICYMI, It’s also Thirsty Thursday — just one more reason to stay hydrated with Louisville Pure Tap^®.*

Job

Coldwell Banker McMahan is seeking candidates for their New Licensee program, which provides training and mentorship to anyone who is interested in creating their own successful real estate business. For consideration, email your resume to Lesley DePaola, Career Development Director.*

Shop

World Cocktail Day is this Saturday, May 13, and we’re helping you celebrate with the help of our online shop (Six & Main). Mix things up with flavorful drinks from Simple Time Mixers and satisfying syrups from Portland Syrups. Cheers.

Shop

💍 One-of-a-kind, custom creations

Where to find one-of-a-kind, custom jewelry pieces

blue and pink-jeweled gold band in a velvet jewelry box

This confetti band from The Leake Co. boasts sapphires and rubies. | Photo by The Leake Co. Private Jeweler & Custom Design

When it comes to jewelry, online shopping offers a gold mine of options. But if you’re looking for something unique + locally made, here are a couple of places to check out.

Lackadazee, 1731 Frankfort Ave.

This Clifton business specializes in ethical and sustainable fine jewelry. Every piece is handmade from sterling silver or 14-karat gold with reclaimed or ethically sourced conflict-free gemstones. The shop also offers a jewelry recycling program that provides store credit for solid gold, sterling silver, or authentic gemstone pieces.

The Leake Co. Private Jeweler & Custom Design, 120 Sears Ave. Ste. 211

Open by appointment only, this custom jewelry company hand assembles every piece in LOU, with 3D print prototypes available so clients can be part of the collaboration every step of the way. Though most pieces are custom created, there is also a design library with more than 10,000 styles to choose from.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Lennie

From the editor

I haven’t had a chance to see the Louisville Zoo’s Wild Lights yet, so I was happy to hear they extended the event through June 4. I might even submit a few pics to the photo contest.

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