Go Hiking in the Forest April 18

It’s spring at the Jefferson Memorial Forest, and that makes it the perfect time to go hiking. Do it this April at the forest, and learn more about the natural wonders in Louisville. Go to the FOX Families Outside X-ploring event, and get a close look at all the glory of spring.

Memorial Forest

Hike through the Jefferson Memorial Forest to see the wildflowers blooming. Listen, and you may hear the frogs making mating calls to each other. The hike will take you to Shannon’s Pond, so you should be able to hear the frogs pretty well.

 This walk through the forest is more than a hike. Once you get to the pond, participate in a boat-building lesson. You will actually learn how to build a boat using natural materials. The walk begins at 9 am, when the weather is still cool and a little crisp.

You may want to bring a jacket with you to stay warm in the cool morning air. Bring along water to drink and a snack as well. The entire walk will be outdoors, so be prepared. Don’t wear your best clothes, because being out in Nature can get messy. You will probably get some dirt on your clothing while you work on boat building.

You’ll find the forest at 12304 Holsclaw Hill Road, in Fairdale. This is a community inside Louisville, but Fairdale is like its own small town.

By the Forest

Fairdale has its own schools and parks, a library, churches, and lots of places to live. This community is right next to some of the most beautiful natural areas in the city. The Tom Wallace Recreation Area is right next to Fairdale, and the Jefferson Memorial Forest is within the boundaries of the neighborhood.

These huge green spaces provide lots of room for hiking, exploring, boating, biking and having all sorts of fun outdoors. Have some fun yourself this April, and take a walk through the forest to see nature in all of its best spring beauty.

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

Learn the Science of Picking a Derby Winner April 16

Many experts pick a winning horse by examining the odds, crunching the numbers and using other mysterious methods to determine the champion. If you want to know some of those tricks, too, you want to attend the Winning Strategies SW event.

How to Pick a Winner

When it’s Derby Day, everyone’s betting on the races. Maybe this year, you’d like to win a little money doing it. If you think that science and math are the key to picking the right horse, you’ve got to attend Winning Strategies.

 
Economist Bill Steiden and mathematician Pete Rodski will host the session and tell you how the experts use the numbers to make the odds, find the winners and make the most money. You’ll learn what to look for when picking a horse and a rider, so you can actually mathematically increase your odds of choosing the winner of the race.

The talk is at JCTC, Jefferson County Technical College, at the Valley Station campus. If you haven’t been to Valley Station lately, now’s the time to find out what you’ve been missing.

Down in the Valley

Valley Station is well-known for its schools. Along with the college campus, Valley is home to Stuart Middle School and Valley Traditional. The Bobby Nichols golf course is almost within eyesight of the JCTC campus. A branch of Jefferson Community College is out here as well.

Waverly Hills, the world-famous haunted attraction, is also located in Valley Station. Look up at the hill, and you may see the towers of Waverly poking up above the trees. It’s also close to the golf course, but don't venture there without permission. It isn’t safe for you or for the ghosts.

Valley Station has a little bit of creepy, but it’s also got a lot of smarts. Go to 1000 Community College Drive this April to learn the secrets of picking a Derby horse, and find out for yourself.

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

Go Gonzo at the GonzoFest April 11

If you're a fan of Hunter S. Thompson, music, poetry, crafts or just getting a little weird, sometimes, you've got to go to GonzoFest Louisville. This annual event celebrates all things Hunter S. Thompson and the entire spirit of being Gonzo. In other words, it's time to let your hair down and embrace the slightly weirder side of Louisville.

Going Gonzo

It's the fifth year of GonzoFest, and this year is going to be the weirdest year yet. Two stages will feature live music from local Louisville acts. You can also hear poetry readings. And if you're a writer yourself, enter the literary contest.

 Maybe you like art instead. Browse the drawings for a Hunter S. Thompson statue, and see which you like best. Live art will also be on display, and many craft vendors will have booths set up if you want to do a little shopping. GonzoFest merchandize will also be available.

Take a wild picture of yourself in the Gonzo photo booth before you watch the Squallis Puppeteers perform. If you get hungry, no problem. The Monkey's Uncle Grill, featuring Lil Cheezers, will be providing eats for all.

GonzoFest is at Waterfront Park this year. Look for it at the Parkway Lawn at 2 pm. GonzoFest doesn't end until midnight, so you'll have plenty of time to get weird. Admission is $15.

By the Water

Louisville's waterfront is famous for being a beautiful community gathering spot. It draws people from all over Louisville who come to concerts and other events, like GonzoFest, but the people who live closest have the chance to enjoy the park most often.

Head along River Road and Waterfront Park place to find gorgeous waterfront living. This is where you'll find some of the city's most modern condos and picturesque homes. Head deeper into the city to find modern high-rise living, city dwelling at its finest.

Like history? Downtown Louisville is full of historic homes as well, remainders of the earlier days of the city when Louisville was still young. There's something for everyone in downtown Louisville, including weirdness!

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

Learn How to Prune Like a Master April 11

Take your work gloves, pruning tools and enthusiasm for gardening to Yew Dell Gardens this April, and learn the secrets of professional pruning. Your landscaping is only as good as your upkeep of it, and pruning is a large part of that. Learn how to keep your plants looking amazing with a few simple tricks and tools you'll gain in this hands-on workshop.

Pruning the Gardens

It costs $30 to attend this training session, which is led by a master gardener. The new head gardener of Yew Dell will teach you the tricks he's learned over the years, so you can make your own home gardens look as manicured and perfect as the fancy gardens you have to pay money to see -- like Yew dell.

 The Yew Dell Gardens are so beautiful, couples choose to get married there. See the amazing beauty of the gardens for yourself when you attend the class on April 11, which begins at 10 am. Yew Dell Gardens is at 6220 Old LaGrange Road in Crestwood.

Going to Crestwood

Crestwood is just outside Louisville, though to many this is an extension of the city itself. This community has received national attention for being such a great place to live. CNN has recognized Crestwood for being one of the best communities in Louisville.

This neighborhood has its own schools, library, arts center and lots of other things for people to do. See Crestwood this spring, and see one of the prettiest places in Crestwood when you go to the Yew Dell Gardens. Learn how to beautify your own outdoor spaces, and prune your garden like a pro.

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

Have a Nine-Course Dinner at Bistro 1860 April 2

Wine and dine yourself at Bistro 1860 for a spectacular nine-course seafood meal. The meal includes eight different kinds of fish, making this any seafood lover's delight.

Have a Seafood Meal

The fish at the dinner is all hand-selected and purchased from Honolulu Fish Company. All the fish are caught in American waters by eco-friendly methods. Each different course is paired with wine. The meal isn't just about eating seafood. It's about exploring the fruits of the ocean.

Different textures and tastes will be highlighted at the meal, so you'll virtually take a culinary tour of the waters. Wines from Spain, Italy, France and California will be on the menu. Each course of fish is served with side dishes and special seasonings designed to bring out the unique flavor of the fish. The wine complements each course.

Dinner starts at 6:30, so bring your appetite. The meal costs $225 per person, plus taxes and gratuity. Call ahead to make reservations to attend this delicious culinary tour of the ocean waters. When the dinner ends at 9 pm, you'll have some time to take in the evening air and walk off the wine after you eat.

A Walk on the Hill

Bistro 1860 is at 1765 Mellwood Avenue, which puts you in one of the great walking neighborhoods of the city. Crescent a Hill is known for its gardens, something that the residents take pride in. This makes any walk through the neighborhood a spectacle of color, and in April you'll see some of those early blooms already making their appearance.

One-of-a-kind boutiques and unique shopping make Crescent Hill a great place to visit, day or night. You'll find lots of modern flair in the stores, but you'll see the past come alive in the neighborhood. There are several historic attractions here, not to mention the Crescent Hill reservoir. Looking out at the water is a perfect way to end any seafood meal. Take a walk up the hill this April, and you'll find out for yourself.

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