65th Annual Home, Garden and Remodeling Show February 28th - March 2nd

Spring is in the air which makes it the perfect time for the 65th Annual Home, Garden and Remodeling Show presented by Window World. The Kentucky Expo Center South Wing B and C at 937 Phillips Lane in Louisville will be hosting this event on Friday, February 28th and Saturday, March 1st from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m, and Sunday, March 2nd from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. General admission tickets are $10, Seniors ages 62 and older pay $9 and children ages 15 and younger are admitted for free with an adult. Expo Center parking is $8.

The Home, Garden and Remodeling Show in Louisville is one of the largest gatherings of its type in the nation. This event has the top exhibitors for home, garden and remodeling from around the country all collected in one area for your convenience. Anything a homeowner is considering for their house can be found among the over 400 exhibitors that will be present during the festivities. There will also be a host of free “how to” presentations, giveaways, coupons, discounts and professionals available to answer any questions patron’s may have.

Window World’s 65th Annual Home, Garden and Remodeling Show at the Kentucky Expo Center is a must-attend event for homeowners. The festivities take place this Friday through Sunday starting at 10:00 a.m. and you will not want to miss this professionally presented home show designed to showcase the latest in new ideas and trends.

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

The 3 Top-Rated Wine Bars in Louisville

As a city that is full of great restaurants for dining in addition to some good drinking establishments, finding the right kind of wine bar might not seem easy in Louisville. The next time you're heading out for a good glass and the right atmosphere, look no further than one of the 3 top-rated wine bars in Louisville to suit your fancy!

Sip the Night Away at Brix Wine Bar

Named after the wine term that references the sugar content of grapes when they are harvested, this east end Louisville establishment on LaGrange Road is one of the city's premiere destinations for the connoisseur. Featuring a fine wine selection, the upscale and sophisticated Brix Wine Bar offers the ideal appetizers to go along with your beverage of choice, including Brie encroute, a roasted hummus platter, pan seared crab cakes, and Brix house chips. With a long bar, comfy plush chairs, and dark wood that will make you feel like sipping the evening away, Brix also features a variety of entrée items to choose from if you and your friends end up staying for a while. You can even head back for Happy Hour on weekdays where you can get half-price on selected wines from 4-6 PM!

Indulge in French Flavors at La Coop Bistro à Vins

With a name that gives it all away, this classic French bistro offers up an extensive selection of French wines that are an ideal accompaniment to the fine food. The perfect place to go for a glass or two and dinner, La Coop Bistro à Vins was voted the Top New Restaurant of 2013 by the readers of Louisville Magazine. Featuring decorative bird cages and an open kitchen concept, you can choose from traditional specialties like Steak Frites, Coquilles St. Jacques, or Aubergine Farcie, a roasted eggplant dish with vegetables and melted gruyere. If you’re looking for a good time to try a new French wine, head down on Tuesday evening for the Prix Fixe Menu, which features a salad, an entrée, and a dessert, all for $25.

Try Before you Buy at Taste Fine Wines and Bourbons

Located in the trendy NuLu East Market District that is filled with cool shops and some of Louisville's favorite restaurants, Taste is a different kind of wine bar than what you might be used to. While Taste is a great place to pick up wine by the case, this tasting lounge gives you the option to try everything before you buy it. With options from smaller wineries and many hard-to-find bottles, make a visit to the Taste lounge so you can sip on the wine of your choice and find some new favorites. You might even want to stop in for happy hour, which goes from 5-7 PM every Thursday and Friday. With many great but inexpensive bottle options, you might even take one or two home!

If you're looking to indulge in a great night out with a group of friends or your significant other, there are a few wine bars in Louisville where you can get your drink on. With highly rated food and a discerning selection of wine to choose from, you'll probably be planning another night out soon!

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

The Carl Casper Custom and Louisville New Car Show is Gearing Up for February

The Carl Casper Custom Auto Show is an annual Kentucky institution that celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2013. In 2014, the tradition takes place at the Kentucky Exposition Center located at 937 Phillips Lane in Louisville. The Carl Casper Custom and Louisville New Car show will be in town for three days, from February 21 to the 23, giving you ample opportunity to explore the over 750,000 square feet of vehicle exhibitions and displays arranged for automotive fans.

The Custom Creations of Carl Casper

As a builder of custom high-end vehicles, Carl Casper has created an incredible variety of cars, including the Batmobile, the General Lee, K.I.T.T., the A-Team vehicles and even "1965 America's Most Beautiful Roadster". He has also built Top Fuel beasts that have performed well on the racing strip. Carl Casper has kept every single car he has ever created, and this show is a reflection of his passion for vehicles.

Featured Creations, Contests and Exhibitions at the Carl Casper Custom Car Show

For the first time in 46 years, Carl Casper is bringing out Renegade, his 1932 Ford Sedan Street Rod and D-Gas Drag Car, for a public showing. Nostalgia race cars, import tuners, custom low riders, custom competitions and some of America's most popular custom motorcycles are part of the exhibition, alongside famous vehicles such as "Wildman" Jeff Cook's Shotgun Harry! monster truck and John Nowacki's "Top Fuel Beetle", a dual-engine, hot-rod style custom racer. Carl Casper also hosts the Lowrider Hopping Nationals and the Miss Auto Show contests.

Celebrity Appearances During the Weekend

This custom car show has attracted a variety of celebrities who are coming out to the event in order to meet fans and sign autographs. Disney actress and singer Olivia Holt is appearing on Saturday, February 22, from 12 PM to 5 PM and then again from 6 PM to 8 PM. Sonequa Martin-Green, who plays Sasha on The Walking Dead television series, will make an appearance on the same day. She will be at the show starting at 1 PM and ending at 8 PM, with a break between 4 PM and 6 PM. The WWE makes a splash with an appearance by superstar Big Show on Friday between 6:45 PM and 9:45 PM. A legend in his time, Ted DiBiase, is scheduled to appear throughout the weekend.

All Major Manufacturers at the Louisville New Car Show

On the south wing of the Kentucky Exposition Center, the Louisville New Car show will feature sixteen different major manufacturers under one roof. A variety of representatives from the Greater Louisville Automobile Dealers Association will be on hand to help compare prices and specs. This event is a great place to window shop for a new ride. The Louisville New Car Show takes place at the same time as the Carl Casper show, from 6 PM to 11 PM on Friday, 10 AM to 10 PM on Saturday and 12 PM to 6 PM on Sunday.

The Carl Casper Custom and Louisville New Car show attract car enthusiasts from all walks of life, giving them the opportunity to get together in Louisville and talk cars for three days straight. These shows have something for everyone, including the beginners, casual viewers and passionate aficionados of car culture. 

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

Everything You Need to Know About Indiana University Southeast

Residing in New Albany, the Indiana University Southeast serves students who seek higher education in the Greater Louisville Area. The overall vision of the Indiana University Southeast is to transform the region by developing students into local leaders. This campus ranks 7th in the Midwest for their MBA program and has been ranked among the top business schools in the United States for the past nine years. This school was also named one of the top ten places to work in the Greater Louisville Metropolitan Region. If you’re considering attending this institution, here’s everything you’ll need to know before you enroll.

A Brief History of the Indiana University Southeast

Local businessman Floyd McMurray founded Indiana University Southeast as an extension of Indiana University. The campus was initially created to allow freshmen and sophomores to attend classes closer to residence before transitioning to the Indiana University Bloomington campus. This took place in 1941, while World War Two fomented violently overseas. Starting with a budget of less than seven thousand dollars, classes were initially held in middle and secondary schools. The student body quickly grew to 291 by 1945 and the institution finally moved into a location of their own. Until 1968, freshmen and sophomores attended what was known as the Indiana University Jeffersonville Extension Center before moving to the Bloomington Campus to finish their degrees. Afterward, the Indiana University Southeast was granted the ability to confer degrees, eventually moving in 1970 to New Albany.

Indiana University Southeast by the Numbers

For fall 2013, tuition for resident undergraduates is $203.89 per credit hour while non-residents pay $572.97 per credit hour. Graduate student rates are $255.96 per credit hour for residents and $603.02 per credit hour for non-residents. For graduate business students, the rate for residents is $371.79 per credit hour and for non-residents $765.64 per credit hour. During the 2012-2013 school year, 65 percent of students received financial aid that totaled $43,671,292, including scholarships. The general education fund for the Indiana University Southeast spent $923,600 for student financial aid, $6,995,643 on academic support, $3,756,144 for student support, $12,810,367 on institutional support, $4,858,954 on physical plant services, $74,502 on research and $28,333,282 on instruction.

Academic Offerings at the Indiana University Southeast

The Indiana University Southeast offers a plethora of degrees, diplomas and certifications for students of all persuasions. Four-year programs include Bachelor of Science degrees in subjects such as chemistry, biology, mathematics, criminology and psychology, while Bachelor of Arts degrees include French, English, Spanish, sociology and political science. Graduate degrees offered are Liberal Studies, Strategic Finance, Business Administration and Education. Two-year associate of arts degrees are available in economics, English, music, physics, mathematics, biology and communication studies. Certificates for business, information technology, medical coding and transcription, and women & gender studies are also available. The Purdue School of Technology offers students the ability to earn degrees in mechanical engineering technology, industrial technology, electrical and computer engineering technology, computer graphics technology and organizational leadership and supervision.

Athletics at the Indiana University Southeast

The basketball and cheerleading squads at the Indiana University are among the most competitive in their divisions. In 2012, the cheerleading team won their fourth straight national championship, finishing first among 27 colleges with a score of 124.05. The men's basketball team was recently voted the number three squad within the NAIA Division II, in a top 25 poll determined by coaches around the country. Intramural recreational sporting activities are also offered for students who wish to stay fit while enjoying the pleasure of sport, without worrying about being too competitive.

The Indiana University Southeast is constantly expanding. As of May 2013, this institute of higher learning had its largest graduating class ever, awarding 1,254 degrees to 1,189 students. This shows that they are succeeding in their mission to provide the Greater Louisville Area with the opportunity to engage in higher education. For a local university with strong academic and extracurricular offerings, Indiana University Southeast is a prime choice. 

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

Drink Local! Amazing Louisville Breweries You'll Kick Yourself for Missing

The kind of beer you might only have found in small, niche markets just a few years ago is becoming more commonplace, as microbreweries and craft beer distributors in the United States are on the rise. According to a recent article on CNBC.com, craft brewers experienced a 15 percent increase in retail sales and a volume increase of 13 percent in 2011, resulting in a total barrel increase of approximately 1.3 million. This means that in larger American cities such as Louisville, there are more options for beer drinkers. Here is some information about two of the most popular and innovative Louisville breweries in the area that you may not have heard of, but you'll surely want to try!

Looking for a Unique Brewery Experience? Visit Against The Grain Brewery (401 East Main St.)

Located in the southeast corner of Louisville Slugger Field at the corner of Jackson and Main Street is one of the busiest, most productive, and most celebrated breweries in Louisville. Against The Grain Brewery gets its name from the eclectic mix of art and architecture that the building offers, as the site used to be a train station, giving patrons some fantastic beer options as well as a unique venue to visit. The site holds one of the only Victorian-styled, three-story "showpiece brewhouses," where all 15 of their copper clad brewing barrels are on display to visitors. This space is also complimented by artwork provided by local artists. On their website you will find a staggering list of almost 100 original beers that the brewery has made in the past, and the website also lists those original beers that are currently on tap, so if you're in the area or thinking of making a trip to the brewery, you could actually plan on trying a few beers you've never had before. Against The Grain Brewery promises to be a brewery experience you will kick yourself for missing when you're in Louisville.

Bluegrass Brewing Company (BBC): The Popularity of Microbreweries Can't Be Denied (3929 Shelbyville Rd.)

The address listed above is actually the address of the first BBC site, founded by Pat Hagan and his father in 1993 after Hagan discovered different varieties of craft beer during his extended travels through the United States. He eventually convinced his father that a brewery was a lucrative opportunity. The company has since opened two other locations, which not only speaks to the success of the brewery, but also to the popularity of microbreweries in Louisville. The BBC location at Theatre Square on 4th St. offers its patrons the opportunity to dine and drink alfresco in the heart of the city, while their newest location at 3rd and Main St. is three floors and is across from the new KFC Yum Center Arena, so you can grab a beer before the big game.

The brewery offers original beer flavors such as Luna De Miel: Raspberry Meade, Dark Star Porter for those who like darker beer, and the Light-Hearted IPA for those looking for that distinctly bitter but refreshing pale ale taste. BBC is another Louisville brewery that is not to be missed!

Though there are only two breweries on this list, there are plenty of other breweries and microbreweries in the area that are waiting for your patronage, and that are brewing some of the most unique beer in the area. Bluegrass Brewing Company has three locations available to you and Against The Grain is one of the most unique and interesting breweries you'll find in Louisville, making a trip to a Louisville brewery a must for locals and tourists alike. 

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

Bag a Bargain: Cool Louisville Flea Markets Worth Checking Out This Weekend

Flea markets are not only a great place to find the best deals on secondhand goods, but visiting flea markets can also become a fun and exciting opportunity to develop a hobby that will bring valuable items into your home. Are you looking to bag a bargain this weekend, or are you simply a Louisville local looking for something fun to do on your day off? Check out these cool Louisville flea markets in your area for something worthwhile to do this weekend, and give yourself the chance to find some unique gems to call your own.

The Biggest in Kentucky: Derby Park Flea Market

A popular weekend destination is the biggest flea market in Kentucky, located in the Taylor Berry neighborhood just a short drive south of Downtown Louisville. On your day off, you may want to consider making the drive to this longstanding gem, which has been a flea market since it opened with just eight dealers in 1985. Now that they have a wide variety of nearly 600 dealers in their indoor facility, Derby Park Flea Market is a common favorite amongst secondhand shoppers.

Aside from their incredible shopping opportunities which take place each Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm, this association is also responsible for putting on many fun and exciting events throughout the year. With the Derby Celebration, the Derby Park Dealers Appreciation and Potluck Event, the Three Ring Circus, and the Derby Park Community Drive to name a few, once you start shopping here, you'll be likely to have many events to attend throughout the year.

The 135,000-square-foot facility that makes up the Derby Park Flea Market is located at 2900 7th Street Rd, Louisville, KY 40216.

A Modern Twist on Flea Markets: Peddlers Mall

This chain of stores puts a modern twist on flea markets, while still providing the ultimate advantage: great deals on unique secondhand items. Dixie Peddlers Mall, located at 4420 Dixie Highway in Louisville, is a store that includes many different vendors in a similar set up to a traditional flea market, with 70 to 75 percent of their goods for sale being secondhand. With longer hours than the traditional flea markets, Peddlers Mall gives you the opportunity to shop both on weekends and during the week, by day or night. Dixie Peddlers Mall is open from 10 am to 8 pm, Monday to Saturday, and on Sundays from 12 pm to 6 pm. Many of the Peddlers Mall stores have up to 100 booths with a variety of items for sale. The vendors get their items from different sources, including store liquidations, auctions, and yard sales.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced secondhand shopper, you are bound to find many flea markets to fill up your weekends. And with these two well-known establishments on the list, you can choose to go with the traditional or the modern flea market route to scout out your new, used gems. 

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

Five Great Neighborhoods to Raise a Family in Louisville

When you're looking for real estate in Louisville, and you have a family to think about, you will be looking for a home in a safe and clean neighborhood to ensure peace of mind as a parent, while still having access to a wide selection of local amenities and parks for the kids. Here are five different neighborhoods that will give you a better idea of where you will find the right Louisville neighborhood for your family.

Two for One: The Cherokee Triangle and The Highlands

Because the area is so popular in real estate, many adjoining streets or small neighborhoods have taken up the name The Highlands in order to attract young, professional parents, thereby making the boundaries of the neighborhood harder to define. Following Bardstown Road, Cherokee Triangle is considered the centerpiece of the Highlands area, and it extends from Cherokee Park and Cave Hill Cemetery and Arboretum to the southeast. The neighborhood is almost entirely made up of large and well-preserved Victorian homes that were built in the 1890's. In the 1960's, homeowners in the Triangle divided many of the houses into apartments, but these spaces have mostly been restored to single-family homes, making them the ideal dwelling for young professionals or wealthy urbanite families.

Given that the Triangle is located in the heart of the historic Highlands neighborhood, you're just a few blocks over from Louisville's commercial district, giving you access to a major American city's downtown amenities. Though you will be in the heart of the city, the Highlands area is known for its preservationist efforts to keep expansion at bay in the community, while holding local events at Cherokee or Willow Park to exhibit the community's eclectic and historic culture.

Want To Be Even Closer To Downtown?

If you're not a family of wealthy or established young professionals, but you still want to be closer to downtown, try looking for homes on Frankfort Avenue in Clifton. A neighborhood named for its position on top of a small cliff above the Ohio River Valley, Clifton first experienced development in the 1820's and is one of Louisville's first suburbs. Clifton's narrow streets are lined with sturdy New Orleans-style shotgun houses, and the neighborhood is noted for its arty and diverse culture. This is the ideal neighborhood for young parents looking for good restaurants, trendy boutiques and galleries.

Norton Commons is Ideal for Urban and Rural Living

Norton Commons is a new community on the far northeastern edge of Louisville. This brand-new traditional neighborhood development was made to look like an old-fashioned urban community, giving you modern amenities and lots of green space. Norton Commons offers potential homeowners houses on small lots, with front porches made for sitting and talking with neighbors as you would in a more rural setting. The neighborhood also features a village center with shops and restaurants, making it a unique alternative for families looking for safer and quieter urban living.

The Quiet Advantage of a More Rural Home

Brownsboro Farms is a small community in Louisville's more rural east end. Less than a 25 minute commute from downtown, Brownsboro Farms has the advantage of being completely removed from city life. Here, you can immerse yourself in farm and rural culture, while still having a major city center extremely close by. Also, because of its location outside of the city, home prices in the area have become very reasonable, and your kids will always have a safe place to play.

Finding the perfect spot to raise your children isn’t easy. Luckily, Louisville offers a wide variety of neighborhoods that families with children will love. Start your search for your family's next home with these family-friendly Louisville neighborhoods – chances are, you’ll find the perfect house for your growing family. 

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