We just want to go outside and play, but staying right here for you.
Kegger! The smart folks down at Actors sure know how to throw a party. Last night’s Humana Festival opening party featured free beer from BBC, samples from local restaurants, free parking and entertainment. Everybody who’s anybody was there, and we’re thanking managing director Jennifer Bielstein, the subject of this profile at I Live In Louisville. Check out the Humana Festival schedule here. [ILIL]
Schreck Rejected: Metro’s Codes and Regulations director Bill Schreck wanted the controversy over a J-town car dealer’s decision to ignore preservation regulations to go away, so he proposed charging Michael Gordon with a $25K fine. But the Planning Commission rejected the deal, so they’re going to have another hearing May 21. Preservation types are happy. The C-J finally decided to join Fox41′s Dick Irby in covering the case, famous for Gordon’s attack of Irby and a cameraman last fall. [Courier]
Tapp Target: Shelbyville Sen. Gary Tapp managed to get his homophobic SB 68 through the Judiciary Committee yesterday, enraging the gays and forcing other state politicians to squirm – and take a stand on whether gay couples should be allowed to adopt. Expect to hear a lot about it in the weekly Greg Stumbo-David Williams press conference.
Car Company Crash: Did anyone really believe that Integrity Manufacturing of Shepherdsville would ever actually get an electric car in production. Not me. The company closed yesterday. [WLKY]
Porn Burglar: All local media outlets jumped on the story of the burglar who broke in and ordered porn at a St. Matthews home. We wondered if the homeowner would have to pay the porn bill. WLKY’s Mike Petchenik tells us that Insight credited the homeowner for the $60 charge.
Eating Out: Fox41′s Valerie Chinn looks into how the economy is affecting local restaurants. Hard to make money when people are choosing tea over wine. She talks to Jarfi’s and LeRelais operators about changes. [Fox41]
Must Be Sweeps: Because of the digital TV transition, sweeps is in March. So WHAS-TV saved Adam Walser’s 3-month investigation of New Life Church until now. It’s a good one. Those folks collecting your money on street corners were probably recruited from the homeless population, and the money goes out of state. It’s a big scam. [WHAS]
Rabbit Ears Update: So all the local stations are still pissed about running those analog signals for anther few months. With 98 days to go, only 3.1 percent of local households are “completely unready” for the digital switch.
Cheap Shotting Hal: As the Museum Plaza’s Craig Greenberg was defending his project at a Metro Council meeting last night, he had choice words for Hal Heiner. “While you’re secretly stealing jobs and moving them to Indiana, we’re investing in this community,” Greenberg said, referring to Heiner’s development business. Heiner tersely called it a “cheap shot.” [Fox41]
7 responses so far ↓
1 john // Mar 6, 2009 at 8:17 am
I’m still trying to figure out what cheap shot Craig Greenberg is talking about. Was it because Hal Heiner wanted to know why 7th Street was closed, despite a complete lack of construction at the site? Or was it because Heiner wanted to know what’s happening with the state’s $150 million?
In truth, we have seen this same tactic from Greenberg in the past. When neighborhood association members raised questions about the proposed Poe Cos. development, Crossings at Irish Hill, Greenberg neglected to respond to their concerns. Instead, he took the opportunity to start a campaign that made personal attacks against those who dared pose questions.
I would love to see Museum Plaza be built, but with people like Greenberg involved, I fully expect this project to go follow in the footsteps of the Vencor building that was once proposed for this same plat.
2 AB // Mar 6, 2009 at 8:56 am
John is on the money regarding Greenberg – just another slimey developer that won’t allow the interests of people to get in the way of his bucks. I do corporate real estate on a national basis and this building is not only an architectural monstrosity, but who in the heck do they think are going to occupy this much space? This project is nothing but vanity and insanity.
3 Steve Coomes // Mar 6, 2009 at 10:27 am
On struggling restaurants: Anybody hear about a bailout package for restaurants? Tax breaks for restaurants? Of course not. So restaurateurs are showing how tough they are and adjusting to the changing times and not looking to the Uncle Sucker for a handout. Maybe the banking and auto industries should look at how real business owners adapt in tough times.
And about the guys collecting money in the streets … duh! People have been caught masquerading as Crusade for Children collectors and faux Salvation Army bell ringers. If you can’t confidently drop change in those buckets, all others are questionable.
4 Steve Magruder (I, not D or R) // Mar 6, 2009 at 11:30 am
The Museum Plaza is dead — I’ve heard information through back channels that suggests to me that Poe is quietly disengaging from this project. Apparently, they’ve decided to maintain an ugly, brave face for PR purposes.
As for the $25K “fine” being rejected, the C-J is correct where they say “legally, the money would have been viewed as a contribution to city preservation efforts — not as admission of guilt or a fine.” In other words, this was a bribe ultimately approved by the mayor to avoid the normal violation hearing process, but the consciences of the people and the planning commission wouldn’t allow it. Everybody at the meeting who wasn’t representing Gordon-Marcum were opposed to the settlement.
5 Steve Magruder (I, not D or R) // Mar 6, 2009 at 11:41 am
Steve C, there are no bailouts for restaurants the same way there is no bailouts for small businesses in general. Small business, the true economic engine of the country, rarely gets a break. While it would be great if all the local restaurants could survive this, we are obviously seeing many fine restaurants go under.
6 WeatherOrNot // Mar 6, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Little off topic, but any news on Chuck or WHAS’ plans for Thunder? Thanks!!
7 vestigium // Mar 6, 2009 at 10:16 pm
I actually enjoyed Greenberg’s “cheap shot” since it was delivered to Heiner. what goes around comes around.
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