As Kentucky’s Poet Laureate for 2019-2020, one of Aurora Avenue resident Jeff Worley’s missions is to spread the enjoyment and appreciation of poetry across the state. His most local effort is on his side fence: the poetry box. Each week, Jeff selects a poem he likes from a variety of authors and prints a dozen or so copies to display in the box. Passersby are free to take a copy if they like the poem. So far, he says, it is proving quite popular.
Mentelle Park resident Tom Eblen got the idea from writers Dorianne Laux and Joseph Millar, who were featured in the book Carolina Writers at Home, by Med Reid and Rob McDonald. Jeff liked the idea, so Tom made him one.
Check it out on the long fence along North Ashland Avenue between Cramer and Aurora avenues. Think of it as a benefit of living in the same neighborhood as Kentucky’s Poet Laureate: Literature chosen just for you.
The Mentelle Neighborhood Association is preparing for another Home & Garden Tour fundraiser the afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 15. The last tour attracted a crowd of nearly 300 visitors.
The ceremony will take place at a new walking path behind Locals’ Craft Food & Drink. The designer of the project, Ryan Hargrove of the UK Department of Landscape Architecture, who also designed the Southland Drive entry sign, will be on hand to explain the concept behind the design. Also in attendance will be several Urban County Council members, members from the Corridors Commission and business owners from the Warehouse Block. Locals’ will host a reception following the unveiling with a complimentary early lunch for all attendees.
Some neighbors would like to start a monthly meet up for kids and parents in the neighborhood. Join us for our first Second Saturday meetup on May 11 from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. The Children’s Advocacy Center, 162 N. Ashland Ave., has kindly offered us the use of its playground for these events. The playground is directly behind the main entrance and building, to the left of the center. We’ll be inside the wooden fence. Bring toys or games to share, or just come to play. For more information, or if you have any questions, email 
I