From Our Readers - August 2009

I have been a resident of the Highlands for 13 years, both as a renter and, for the past 12 years, a homeowner. For the past five years I’ve also been a dog owner and, as such, a dog walker.

I have seen an increasing problem with other dog owners not disposing of their dog’s waste. Not only do they not do so on other people’s property, but now there is a trend to simply leave it on the sidewalks as well. In addition to the obvious nuisance factor, there is also a health risk, plus a complete lack of respect for others – not to mention the pesky “it’s against the law,” ordinance, outlined at length in the Animal Control Act signed by the mayor in January 2007.

When these people are confronted, their reactions run the spectrum from complete disdain to out and out physical threats. I have tried in the past to ask for police assistance, which was ignored. They instructed me to call Animal Control, who advised me to follow the people and leave it on their porch/property. Odd that an official for a city agency would suggest, at minimum, stalking, criminal trespass and vandalism.

Regardless, I realize there is little that can be done. It would be nice to see some police concern and response, at any level.  However, that is unlikely. I realize the police justifiably feel they have more pressing issues. 

My hope is that if enough concern is expressed through public outcry to city associations and publications, eventually, at least a modicum of attention might be spent on this issue, if not by the police – who are a certainly paid to assist us and enforce the above mentioned ordinance – then by our elected councilman to put some pressure on law enforcement or Animal Control to act on our behalf.

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Are you are tired of the bagged newspaper advertising that is thrown in the street, your driveway or front lawn twice a week?

Recently the Louisville Metro Council passed a resolution that would place some controls on how this sort of unsolicited material can be delivered. In response to the new regulations, The Courier-Journal has sued the city, claiming that this infringes on their first amendment rights.  It is troubling that the newspaper is more concerned with their profits than they are with our community. And defending the lawsuit will naturally cost the city funds, which comes from taxpayers’ pockets.

While the lawsuit works its way through the court system, you can stop this practice at your residence. Call (502) 582-4011, dial “0,” then ask to be placed on their “Do Not Deliver” list. If you see another house in your area where these items pile up, make a separate call and ask that the specific address also be added to the list.

Hopefully, this will somewhat curtail this litter issue in our community.

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Autumn is the season of high school and college homecomings. And this fall, the Irish community will also have a homecoming, as the Louisville Irish Fest returns to the campus of Bellarmine University on the weekend of September 25-27. We can’t provide the green hills of Erin, but we can provide plenty of Irish entertainment and food amid the rolling green hills of the Louisville Highlands.

Music is the heart and soul of the Louisville Irish Fest. This year sees the return of such favorites as Cloigheann, The Derby Boys, Donnybrook, Guilderoy Byrne, Liam’s Fancy, The Louisville Pipe Band, and The Rashers. Making their first appearance at Irish Fest will be Alair (a traditional group from the Indianapolis area) and Henry Faustin’s new group, Keltricity. Headlining the Saturday night concert is Needfire, a nationally known touring band that performs the musical gamut from traditional aires to Celtic rock. The energy they bring to performances has to be seen – and heard. 

Numerous events and activities round out the festival. Vendors will have booths along the Quadrangle, the Society for Creative Anachronism will re-enact the “glories of old,” and the children’s area will use stories and arts-and-crafts to introduce the little ones to Ireland’s mythic superheroes. They’ll find that the X-Men pale in comparison to Cuchulainn. (Parents, if that name is unfamiliar to you, join your children for the storytelling.)  

Both young and old will be drawn to the exhibit of Irish dog breeds. And, of course, there are the Irish dancers. No Irish festival is complete without these amazing young performers.

Need a bit of quiet time or respite from the sun? Step inside Frazier Hall and visit the magnificent cultural display.  Reacquaint yourself with the history of the Irish ancestral homeland. See how Ireland became a cultural beacon during Europe’s “Dark Ages.” Read of the political, economic and social struggles that led to the Irish Diaspora. See how Ireland rebounded and again became a leading light in literature and the arts. Then, step across the hall and learn a bit, as professor Jim Waters of the University of Louisville Speed School offers lessons in the Irish language.

As if this weren’t enough, for the first time, Louisville Irish Fest is producing a play in conjunction with Bellarmine University.  Boucicault’s “The Shaughraun” is a 19th century comic melodrama that will delight audiences of all ages. The play had a recent run at Dublin’s famed Abbey Theatre. Audiences enthusiastically cheered the stalwart hero and hissed the mustache-twirling villain. Our production starts off the festival with a Friday night 7:30 p.m. performance, followed by a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. 

But, we’re not finished yet. Want to get into the spirit of things a bit early? This year marks the first Molly Malone’s & Louisville Irish Fest Charity Irish Open, a golf scramble at the Oxmoor Country Club on August 24. Lunch and registration is at noon with a 1 p.m. tee-off time.  After an afternoon of golfing, cap off the day with an Irish party and dinner at Molly Malone’s Irish Celebration beginning at 6:30. (Registration forms are available at Molly Malone’s, 933 Baxter Avenue, and next door at the Celtic Center.) Not a golfer? Not a problem. Come to the celebration and join in “the craic.” 

Aye, but it’s a grand time to be Irish in Louisville.