Café “LOUIE” stands for Louisvillians: Organized, United, Informed, and Engaged. | Photo by Café LOUIE
Have a burning question or suggestion for Kentucky’s legislators?Café LOUIE is here to give your voice a mic and your thoughts a stage at its monthly meetings with elected officials.
Café LOUIE is a partnership between the Library Foundation, the Louisville Free Public Library (LFPL), the Leadership Louisville Center, and the Friends of the Library. The annual series is designed to facilitate community interaction with state and local legislators.
Each month, from January to March, the meetings are held Saturdays, 9-10 a.m. at a different LFPL location.
Community members can grab a cup of Heine Brothers coffee and ask questions to a cast of rotating officials, including Kentucky State Senate members, Kentucky House Representatives, Metro Councilpersons, and mayors.
Golden Hours Writing Workshop | 7-9 p.m. | 928 Franklin St., Louisville | Free | Bring your writing materials for a workshop with prompts + discussions with other writers.
Comedy Night | 7:30-9 p.m. | Gravely Brewing Co. | Free | See comedians Uncool Randy, Big Jake Hovis, and “Louisville’s Funniest Person of the Year” Cory Miller.
Friday, Jan. 17
Luke Powers + Cait Justice | 7 p.m. | Zanzabar | $10 | Hear a night of Appalachian music with artists from Tennessee + Kentucky.
Saturday, Jan. 18
Parents Night Out January | 4:30-8 p.m. | Side By Side Studio | $50 | Drop the little ones off for a night of art, pizza, and play while enjoy a night to yourself.
Sunday, Jan. 19
Strike Out Arthritis Bowling Tournament | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Executive Strike & Spare Family Fun Center | $11+ | Raise money for a good cause at a family-friendly bowling night.
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LOUMED has plans to make big changes on Chestnut Street thanks to $1.75 million in city funding. The project aims to improve the street’s lighting + add wayfinding features and green spaces on the stretch between 2nd and Clay Streets, connecting the JCTC Campus and the Phoenix Hill neighborhood.
Traffic
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is developing a plan to revamp three miles of 7th Street Road between Algonquin Parkway and the Watterson Expressway. Submit your thoughts and comments online by Saturday, March 15.
Edu
JCPS will send out a survey this month asking what the community wishes to see in a new superintendent, as they are hoping to fill the position by July 1 after Marty Pollio retires. The selection committee will recruit candidates through March. (WHAS11)
Concert
Louisville will be the final stop on a recently announced spring tour by the band Wilco. The Saturday, May 17 show will be part of the band’s “An Evening With...” series — that’s two sets, back to back, with no opener. Tickets go on sale this Friday, Jan. 17.
Development
The former Plumber’s Supply property in NuLu is slated for partial demolition. Older buildings on the property will be removed to make room for a 120-space, pay-to-park lot + a green space. Other buildings on the site will be redeveloped, with mixed-use residential + retail spaces being the goal. (Louisville Business First)
Civic
Are you buried in garbage as well as snow? Waste collection is slowly resuming after disruptions from Winter Storm Blair. Pro tip: Place extra trash bags beside your can — not on top — so Metro Public Works crews can still pick them up.
Louisvillian
Louisville artist “Sunshine” Joe Mallard makes colorful quilts, one of which is now in the Obama Presidential Center Museum. The piece, titled “Obama Tie Quilt,” took over five years to complete and chronicles the first four years of the 44th president’s administration. (WHAS11)
Plan Ahead
In case you missed our guide to Valentine’s Day events, here’s a bonus: The Louisville Nature Center is hosting candlelit hikes Thursday, Feb. 13-Saturday, Feb.15, 6:30-9:30 p.m.” Register ahead of time for the hike + warm up around a fire afterwards.
Art
There’s a new public art piece outside the Omni Hotel, near the corner of Muhammad Ali Boulevard and 3rd Street. The giant fire hydrant, installed by LeMond Studio, plays music when you turn a lever — in this case, you should “touch that dial.”
Sports
The Cardinals men’s basketball team, riding a six-game winning streak, sit at 12-5 overall and 5-1 in ACC play — a drastic improvement from recent seasons. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Cards with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Volunteer
Did you know MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service? Join AmeriCorps this MLK Day to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King and help your community by volunteering on Monday, Jan. 20. Find volunteer opportunities to serve locally.*
Finance
Did you know some credit cards can actually help you get out of debt faster? (It sounds wild, but it’s true.) The secret: Find a credit card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. This is hands-down one of the best of 2025.*
Eat
Eat
Meat free, flavor-full
Who said being vegan meant giving up comfort food like loaded fries and mac and cheese? | Photo via Shahar
Eating meat-free hasn’t always been easy, but in Louisville, it can be a piece of (vegan) cake.
Derby City’s food scene is as vibrant as ever, it’s no surprise that there are a slew of local chefs serving up fresh, meat-free bites across town.
100% vegan eats
Shahar Cafe, 1127 Logan St. | Now open in a new brick-and-mortar location in Shelby Park, Shahar offers all-vegan food all day long. Get breakfast and brunch staples like steak and eggs or chicken and waffles, or stay into the night for specialty cocktails, burgers, chicken sandwiches, and more. Try this: loaded fries or tots with Impossible meat, vegan cheese, grilled onions, and house sauce
Casual eating
Heart & Soy/Roots, 1216 Bardstown Rd. | Home to Kentucky’s only tofu factory, this two-sided restaurant features a casual space for takeout + a more upscale, full-service option. Try this: Steamed bun with spicy sauce + BBQ tofu sandwich
A pair of 14K gold plated heart hoops. The huggie-sized earrings are hypoallergenic and tarnish-resistant. Psst — they’re also the perfect Valentine’s Day accessory.
Valentine’s Day is a month away, but love is already in the air. The two polar bears at the Louisville Zoo, Qannik and Borealis, are now interacting with each other.
It’s good news, because Borealis was brought to LOU as part of a Species Survival Plan. I for one can’t wait to see some cute polar bear cubs.
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