Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Jeff Speck, author of Walkable City, to visit Kentucky


The year 2014 marks the beginning of a new approach to thinking about historic preservation, and your opportunity to learn from exciting speakers and dynamic programming. For the first time, the Kentucky Heritage Council and Preservation Kentucky are partnering to present the Kentucky Preservation Series - a new initiative of quarterly workshops designed for broad appeal, and to give you the information you need to help care for your historic home or building and work more effectively in your own community. To kick this off, we proudly announce:

Creating Life on City Streets: Walkability 
Including a lecture and workshop with Jeff Speck, author of the new book "Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time"

These keynote sessions coincide with the annual winter meeting of the Kentucky Main Street Program, in Frankfort from Jan. 15-17. New this year, the public is invited to join local Main Street managers, board members, elected officials and others to learn about current issues in community revitalization. Topics will be of broad interest to communities interested in strategies to preserve and utilize their historic downtown buildings, capitalize on authentic assets, promote heritage tourism and create positive energy that attracts residents and visitors.

Jeff Speck appearance schedule (sponsored through the support of KHC board member Nana Lampton): 

Lecture and book signing - 7 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 16
Grand Theatre, St. Clair Mall, Frankfort
$10 general admission

Workshop - 9 to 11 a.m. 
Friday, Jan. 17 
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, 200 Mero Street, Frankfort
 $25 general admission

 Click here for the complete conference schedule. Full conference registration is $100 per person and includes educational sessions, Jeff Speck lecture and workshop, a reception hosted by Preservation Kentucky, and the premiere of the film "Kentucky Governor's Mansion: A Century of Reflection," at the Grand Theatre. Single-day registration is $35.

Download the registration form and return with payment to the Kentucky Heritage Council, and watch for more details at www.heritage.ky.gov

 Given today's reality of tight budgets and limited travel time, this series will take place in lieu of the long-running biennial statewide historic preservation conference, which many of you have attended over the years. The goal of this new series is to present relevant preservation-related topics and hands-on training in strategic locations across the Commonwealth, working in concert with partner organizations at the local level, in venues accessible to a wide range of constituents.

 Administered by the Kentucky Heritage Council, the Kentucky Main Street Program is presenting the conference in partnership with the nonprofit organization Friends of Kentucky Main Street.

An agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet The Kentucky Heritage Council / State Historic Preservation Office is responsible for the identification, protection and preservation of prehistoric resources and historic buildings, sites and cultural resources throughout the Commonwealth, in partnership with other state and federal agencies, local communities and interested citizens. This mission is integral to making communities more livable and has a far-ranging impact on issues as diverse as economic development, heritage tourism, jobs creation, affordable housing, community revitalization, environmental conservation and quality of life.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Christmas Celebrations Coming to Downtown Middlesborough

Santa's House coming together nicely at 1927 Cumberland Ave.


Middlesborough, Kentucky - Signs of the Christmas holiday are everywhere in downtown Middlesboro. The big tree is up downtown, Santa has been given a new house on Fountain Square, and over 50 entries are getting ready for the Christmas Parade this Saturday at 3pm.

Volunteers from Discover Downtown Middlesboro have once again taken the lead organizing not only the parade, but also decorations to give the downtown a festive look and feel. Keith Nagle, DDM President said, “We are happy to invite people downtown this time of year to enjoy a one-of-a kind community celebration.”

A Tree Lighting is being planned for Friday, December 6 at 6pm in Fountain Square. In case of rain the location will be at Santa’s House at 1927 Cumberland Ave. Featured people and groups will include Kentucky Senator Brandon Smith, local singer Jade Robertson,and  Middlesboro Elementary School Principal Dr. Tony Maxwell. Area choirs, churches, and Ms. Cumberland Mountain Fall Festival Queen Brooke Gibbs will also participate.

The Middlesboro Christmas Parade will start promptly at 3pm on Saturday, December 7. The theme of the parade this year is “An Old Fashioned Christmas.” People are encouraged to line the parade route along Cumberland Ave between 15th and 21st Street. Bleachers will be on Fountain Square and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

A storefront at 1927 Cumberland Ave has been converted into Santa’s House for kids and families to visit with Santa Claus. Visitation will be open immediately after the parade on December 7, and again on December 13, 14, 20, and 21 starting at 5pm each night. Building owner Mack Yoakum generously donated the space for Santa’s House.

A student from LMU painting the window at JRS Restaurant Corp. on Cumberland Ave.

Building on a successful window painting project last year, this year faculty and students from Lincoln Memorial University and the Middlesboro High School Key Club have painted holiday scenes on storefront windows. Be sure to come out and see the festive scenes that they create.

Sponsors for the Christmas celebration this year include  Commercial Bank, Community Trust Bank, First State Financial, Home Federal Bank, Danny J Luttrell Insurance, and Southeast Eye Associates. Generous contributions have also been made by Ike Slusher, Dr. Kenneth Smith, Larry Brooks, and Steve Obermann. Local businesses that have made in-kind donations include Jim Brown Supply providing the lift to decorate the tree, JR Hoe & Sons giving the trailer for the stage, and East End Pawn, Mikel’s Pharmacy, Three States Printing, and Walmart.

Susannah Cadle with Antique & Modern Jewelry putting finishing touches on her Christmas display.

Assisting in our fundraising efforts is the Fund for the Arts based in Louisville and their Power2Give website. Every dollar that local people give will be matched by an additional dollar from LG&E and KU Energy. Donna Smith, Organization Committee Chair said “We encourage folks to make a donation today to make this Christmas a special one for everyone involved.”

A link to the Power2Give website is here:

Contact:

Isaac D. Kremer, Executive Director
Discover Downtown Middlesboro
(606) 248-6155


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Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Appalachian Transition Fellowship Fellows Webinar, Mon, 12/16, 5-6pm

Highlander Research and Education Center &
Rural Support Partners invite you to the:


Appalachian Transition Fellowship
Fellows Webinar
 
Join our webinar on MondayDecember 16 at 5 - 6 pm EST  for an overview of the program and how to apply. AppFellows are a select group of emerging leaders from across the region that are committed to finding innovative solutions to foster a just and sustainable Appalachian economy starting June, 2014!
 
Click Here To Register Today!
Learn More About Appfellows!
AppFellows seeks to increase the connectivity, collaboration, and capacity of Central Appalachian institutions and leaders by building a collective analysis and seeding projects that solve regional systemic problems and foster a just and sustainable Appalachian economy.
Can't Join Us in December?
Join our fellows webinar
 January 16th 1-2 pm. Additional information is forthcoming!

For More Information
Visit our Website: 

www.AppFellows.org