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Nulu and the First Friday Trolley HOP


If you are looking for up-and-coming, chic neighborhood, look no further than NuLu. NuLu is a portmanteau of New and Louisville. It is becoming known for its many art galleries, antique shops, and restaurants, which can be visited, free of charge, with the First Friday Hop.  NuLu is located along Market Street between downtown and the Highlands. It consists of parts of Louisville's two oldest neighborhoods: Butchertown and Phoenix Hill.

The NuLu area is no stranger to artists. D.W. Griffith was a film director, some say controversial, and was a pioneer in modern film-making techniques and is considered the "Inventor of Hollywood." After moving to NuLu, around 1900, from LaGrange, he became a playwright and actor, after he dropping out of high school, to help support his family. After moving to New York in 1907, trying to make it as a playwright, he ended up in California and directed the very first motion picture filmed in Hollywood, the short "In Old California," in 1910.

Following on, NuLu has the highest concentration, of art galleries, in Louisville. To promote the art galleries and shops, NuLu offers the First Friday HOP, from 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm on the first Friday every month. The HOP is free and TARC offers its Zerobuses for transportation. They travel around NuLu and can be boarded at any trolley stop. Free Parking is also available at Louisville Slugger Field, Main Street at Jackson Street, and the 4th Street Live Garage, after 6:00 pm. Most of the art galleries do close at 9:00, but the bars, restaurants, and shops typically stay open later than that.

The First Friday HOP is a diffrent way to explore a hip area, learn about art, and enjoy food and drink from locally owned restaurants; some with specials, sales, and live music in the 40+ boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and more.

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New Home Listing - 10303 Florian Rd Louisville, KY 40223

Incandescent, Compact Fluorescent, and LED Light Bulbs

So you are sitting at home and you have a light bulb burn out. It is then you realize you have run out  replacement bulbs, so you have to make a trip to the hardware store. You browse the light bulbs and become overwhelmed at the options you are given. What should you choose?

In 1879, Thomas Jefferson is credited with inventing a light bulb in, that lasted significantly longer than other inventers, at the time. This incandescent bulb was the standard, for household use, until laws were implemented for efficiency standards. These bulbs heat a coil that glows to produce light; however, it takes a lot of energy to create a little light. An incandescent bulb can only convert 5-10% of the energy into light. The rest is converted to heat.

Except for specialty bulbs, the federal government began a phase out of these bulb types, starting in 2014. High-efficiency incandescent bulbs have been developed, that do meet the federal standards, for efficiency. These are about twice as efficient as the standard bulb; converting 10-20% of the energy into light.

Your next option is a compact fluorescent bulb, or CFL bulb. These bulbs are filled with a gas and a small amount of mercury. When electricity comes in contact with the mercury, the mercury creates an ultraviolet light that reacts with the coating on the inside of the bulb. These are the types of bulbs used in office buildings, hospitals, and schools. A CFL bulb can be up to 75% more efficient than a traditional bulb and can last up to 10 times longer. On the other hand, they can take a few moments to reach their full brightness. Because they also contain mercury, they should not be disposed in the regular garbage, and you have to take precautions if you break one (the Environmental Protection Agency describes a 10-step cleanup process).

Your third option is a Light Emitting Diode or LED bulb. LEDs have been used for the display in clock radios and other small electronic displays. An LED bulb is 85% more efficient than the traditional incandescent bulb. LED bulbs can be found in many different colors; from the yellow-tinted light similar to the traditional incandescent light to daylight to actual color-changing bulbs. LED bulbs stay cool to the touch, even after being on for an extended time. They typically tend to have a highest purchase price, but the lowest usage cost.

Because we still think of light bulbs in terms of incandescent lighting, let us take a 60-watt bulb and use it for 6 hours a day. Your traditional bulb, while only costing $0.41, will also only last 0.46 years. At $0.13 per kilowatt, the total cost, over 20 years is $360. A CFL bulb does cost $0.99, per bulb, but will last for 4.6 years, using only 14 watts to produce the same amount of light, costing $164. Lastly, the LED bulb is the most expensive, to purchase, at $9.97, but lasts 11.4 years (for one bulb), at only 9.4 watts for the same amount of light. The final cost, over 20 years is only $90, a savings of $75.00, per bulb.

Based on savings alone, it may be time to start upgrading your lighting options. However, you can also take this opportunity to eliminate some of the waste going into our landfills.

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Nightlife in Germantown

Germantown is a neighborhood located a few miles south of Downtown Louisville. The neighborhood was named for German immigrants that predominately settled the area. It is bounded by Barret Ave, Eastern Parkway, and the south fork of Beargrass Creek.

Germantown is growing because it is close to both the Highlands and Old Louisville, but the cost of living tends to be a little lower than in those neighborhoods. In the 1890s, shotgun houses were being built and created the largest collection, in the city. Germantown has been known as a neighborhood where families tend to stay, but has now drawn interest from singles and young couples.

Germantown is known for some of historic bars, such as Checks Cafe, which has been in the neighborhood since 1944. It serves a menu of both German and American cuisine and beers. It is decorated with pictures of long-time customers, celebrities, and the owner.

For a little different atmosphere, you can check out T. Eddies Bar and Grill. Wednesday through Sunday, they offer karaoke. According to their Facebook page, they have the cheapest, coldest beer in town.

A third option for an evening out is Barret Bar, a pool hall. Along with billiards, they also offer a full bar and a menu that includes hamburgers and sandwiches; foods that easy to eat while you are shooting pool. Barret Bar does have two sides to the restaurant, one with the pool tables and the other side being closer to a typical bar.

Germantown is full of nightlife for a group that wants a fun, different evening/night out on the town, but not spend the time in a night or dance club that comes about with crowded dance floors and loud music. It is possible to spend the evening with a group in an environment where conversation can take place.

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New Listing - 125 N 42nd St Louisville, KY 40212

125 n 42nd street louisville ky

New Listing! 125 N 42nd St Louisville, KY 40212

This beautiful 3 bedroom, 2 full-bath cape cod style brick home has been updated and meticulously maintained. Replacement windows throughout, the first floor features: hardwood flooring, an updated kitchen with granite countertops, two bedroom (one currently being used as a den), new floor tile and fixtures in bathroom. Full bathroom on second level with refinished tub and new fixtures, a large bedroom, lots of storage and a living area off the stairs. Basement has been totally waterproofed with a lifetime transferable warranty and sump pump, new windows, basement could be finished easily. Sunroom in back. Large 2.5 car garage with alley access. Air conditioner condenser replaced summer 2015, furnace gas valve replaced March 2016.

View this listing: 125 N 42nd Louisville KY 40212

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Easy Technology Upgrade for your Home

These days universal serial bus, more commonly known as USB, is being used for charging our mobile technology: cellular phones, tablets, smartwatches, MP3 players, and activity trackers. Mobile technology became commonplace with the adoption of cellular phones. At the outset, of this era of phone usage, each handset manufacturer had their own implementation to charge their products. This meant anytime you upgraded to a new phone, you would have a new charger and it wouldn't be compatible with another phone.

USB was developed in the mid-1990s and was initially used to connect peripherals to a computer. Being developed as a standard, USB is compatible with any manufacturer. A USB charger comes in two parts: the cable and a wall charger. The charger plugs into a standard outlet and then you plug the cable into the charger. For convenience, companies have developed a new outlet that has USB outlets built in. These outlets are available with only USB ports, but the majority of them combine your standard outlet with USB ports.

Changing an electrical outlet is an easy, seven-step process and only requires a screwdriver or two (one flathead and one Phillips head)

1. Turn off the power, at the circuit breaker

2. Unscrew the faceplate on the outlet (typically one screw)

3.  Unscrew the outlet itself, from the electrical box (typically two screws). It should easily pull out from the box. 

4. Remove the wires, from the old outlet

5. Attach the wires to the new outlet. Create a hook, in the wire, and wrap it around the appropriate screw. The wires should be color-coded. Black is the hot wire and carries the power from the circuit breaker to the outlet, the white, neutral wire carries the power back to the box, and the green wire connects to the ground.

6. Once the wires are secured, push the wires back into the electrical box and screw the new outlet into the box.

7. Turn the circuit breaker back on, test the outlet, and replace the faceplate.

Advancements in USB are also allowing the power of bigger items such as alarm clocks, desktop fans, and humidifiers, so it doesn't appear USB is going anywhere soon. Upgrading your outlets is an easy project that will give you a convenient way to charge your technology.

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Louisville's Successful Professional Soccer Team

 

On March 5, 2016, Louisville City FC began their sophomore season competing in the United Soccer League; the third tier of professional soccer in North America. The United Soccer League falls behind Major League Soccer and the North American Soccer League and is equivalent to Double-A baseball. When Orlando, Florida decided to field a team in Major League Soccer, principal owner of Louisville City, Wayne Estopinal, acquired the license to move the team to Louisville.

Louisville has a history of professional sports going back to the 1870's when Louisville was host to a National League Baseball team. In 1921, Louisville fielded the Louisville Brecks in the American Professional Football Association, which was renamed the National Football League in 1922. Louisville has also hosted several minor league ice hockey teams. Most famously, between 1967-1976, Louisville hosted the Kentucky Colonels of the American Basketball Association.

In their inaugural season, Louisville City was extremely successful. At the end of the season, they were ranked second, among the 24-team League, in both the Eastern Conference and league overall. They may it to the Conference Finals, in the playoffs, losing to eventual League champions Rochester Rhinos.

Matt Fondy and Bryan Burke helped the team to their second place finish. Matt Fondy was named the Most Valuable Player of the League, as well as winning the Golden Boot Award, top league scorer, with 22 Goals. He was also named the USL Player of the Week four different Weeks. Bryan Burke was named Defender of the Year and the Assists Champion.

The Louisville Bats share Louisville Slugger Field with Louisville City FC. Slugger Field can seat 13,131 for baseball, but because of the configuration of the baseball diamond, 8,000 people is considered a sell-out for the soccer field configuration. The pitcher's mound was fitted with a jack so it can be raised and lowered as needed.

The league's attendance has grown, since their inception in 2011, where the league average was 2,274 people, to a league average of 3,369. Louisville's average attendance was more than twice that 6,765, which was second only to Sacramento.

The supporters group harkens to the state's bourbon and are called the Coopers, which is the name for barrel-makers. They are seated in sections 121-124 and chant and sing the entire game. Come join the Coopers and the other fans to cheer on your local soccer team. If you can't make it to Slugger Field, all United Soccer League games are broadcast, live on the USL's, YouTube.com channel.

The season officially begins with an away game against the Charlotte Independence on March 26th, 2016, but has their home opener on April 2, 2016.  However, the team does have two more preseason friendlies against both the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky on March 10th and 16th respectively.

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