The Tarascon Brothers and Shippingport, Kentucky
The story of the Tarascon Brothers, Louis and John, began as one of dreams, entrepreneurship, and commercial success. It ended in failure, financial ruin, and personal tragedy.
Rosetta Chapel Opens Its Doors to Spread Gospel of Music in Portland
For the past couple years, fans of independent and underground music from all over Louisville have discovered a hidden treasure near 20th and Main Street in Portland: the Rosetta Chapel, a performance space which has hosted dozens of bands of all varieties, and also happens to be the home of Daniel Barber, a multi-media sculpture artist. He started out having dance parties with his friends, and the scene organically expanded into serving as a home for live music. The home’s namesake, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, is the “godmother of rock and roll,” the gospel blues singer and guitar innovator from the 1930s and ‘40s who influenced the likes of Little Richard, Johnny Cash, Tina Turner and Elvis Presley. The striking mural on the side of the church was created by prominent local artist Damon Thompson, whose work can be found on urban spaces all over Louisville.
Portland Now Community Picnic and Back to School Drive a Success!
The sound of children’s laughter, flowing from the bouncy house, and the chatter of neighbors pondering their hopes for the neighborhood, filled the air at the Portland Now Community picnic. We had hoped forty folks might show up, you can imagine our delight when over seventy people came to the event.
New Directions Breaks Ground on New Roosevelt Senior Housing Project in Portland
New Directions Housing Corporation broke ground on the Roosevelt Senior Apartments at 225 N. 18th Street in the Portland Neighborhood. This $8.9 million dollar project will create 36 subsidized one-bedroom apartments for seniors 62 and older. These apartments will be fully ADA compliant, with such features as roll-in showers, dishwashers, and fully accessible washer and dryer units
The Louisville and Portland Railroad Company: Louisville’s First Transportation Token
To unravel the mystery of Louisville, Kentucky’s first transportation token you have to go back to the early 1830’s. Louisville developed into a major commercial center and river port because of its location above The Falls of the Ohio River. Boats were forced to stop, unload their cargo and then carry it around The Falls in order to continue their trip South. Portland, Kentucky grew up just South of The Falls because the lucrative transfer business provided the foundation for a strong economy.
Brolly’s Bodega Opens on Griffiths
Portland residents bemoaning the lack of dining and grocery options in the neighborhood now have another location to try. Brolly’s Bodega, at 2441 Griffiths Avenue, opened in late July, offering up not only grocery items like chips and snacks, toiletry and cleaning items and school supplies, but also a full menu of burgers, wings and fries. And perhaps most significantly, aside from kitchen hours, Brolly’s will be open 24/7.
The Portland Free Wedding Day!
I am happy to announce that the Portland Free Wedding Day was a success! The first wedding was of Stephane and Charles “Pico” Mitchell, and the second; Tiffany and Matt Cotton. Each wedding was uniquely lovely and memorable. The day was so wonderful and we are hoping to make the Portland Free Wedding Day an annual event!
Neighborhood House Serves Portland’s Young and Seniors Alike
Read this month’s round of Neighborhood House News to learn about their new Pathways program for young adults, a senior’s trip to Shepherdsville, and preschool graduation!
Nardie’s Education Continues at Now-Defunct Black Trade School
We pick up Nardie’s story as he graduates from Shawnee High School in 1970 (“which was 75% white” at the time, he said). He capitalized on a phenomenal scholarship opportunity to go to the West Kentucky Technical College in Paducah, where he lived in a dorm with around 500 other students.
Portland Now Welcomes New Directors With Community Picnic
In June of every year, Portland Now has an annual meeting to elect a board of directors for the coming year. We are proud to announce that we added nine new directors this year, who will join the ten returning members. All of our Portland Now directors have strong ties to the neighborhood and a deep desire to work in collaboration with others to advocate for the common good of Portland.