I hope you’re having a good holiday season. And for anyone finding this time of year difficult, please know you’re valued and you matter.

On my end, I made a few possiblyl ill-advised parenting decisions leading up to Christmas. Nothing too wild, but yes… I took the kids to Oxmoor Mall on the 23rd and Target on Christmas Eve. Other than Shelbyville Road traffic, it actually wasn’t that bad.

👀 In today’s edition:

  • 🔦 The top headlines you can’t miss

  • 🎂 Great local folks celebrating birthdays

  • 🏘 Two show stopping homes for sale

  • 💼 High-paying Louisville jobs hiring now

Hot job 💼: Account Executive at Mister “P” Express ($85k-$120k). Identify and secure new business in the transportation industry, negotiate and close deals, build client relationships.

📈 Number: 7 is the number of area locations you can dispose of your Christmas tree after the holidays, offering easy drop-off and recycling options.

As always, I appreciate you reading. 👊

-Todd

🏆 A Big “Best Of” Week for Louisville

Who won the week, what opened, and why it matters.

🐰 Rabbit Hole Ready

The kind of links that make you forget you had other tabs open.

🎄 Louisville Named One of America’s Most “Christmassy” Cities
Turns out we’re not just festive… we’re elite. Louisville topped a national list of the most Christmassy cities in the U.S., thanks to traditions, lights, events, and all-in holiday spirit.

🥩 Louisville Has One of the Best Steakhouses in America
USA TODAY ranked Le Moo among the top steakhouses in the country, putting Louisville firmly on the national dining map once again.

🍜 MoonDog Vietnamese Doubles Revenue to $1M After Rebrand
A Butchertown rebrand paid off big time. MoonDog Vietnamese doubled revenue to $1M, showing how smart positioning and clarity can change everything.

🚀 7 Louisville Startups Named Kentucky’s Ones to Watch
Seven Louisville startups landed on Kentucky Inno’s “Startups to Watch” list, a strong signal of local momentum heading into 2026.

🍝 Volare Named Best Italian Restaurant in Kentucky
National food site Mashed crowned Volare the best Italian restaurant in the state. Locals already knew… now the rest of Kentucky does too.

🚁 WLKY’s Chopper Bill Retires After Decades in the Sky
For years, he gave Louisville a view from above during its busiest moments. Chopper Bill officially retired, closing the book on countless live shots from above.

✈️ GoodMaps Launches Accessibility Tech at Cincinnati Airport
Louisville-based GoodMaps is now live at CVG, helping travelers navigate the airport more easily through accessibility-focused mapping technology.

🏡 Matt Barry Joins Keller Williams
Local real estate pro Matt Barry announced his move to Keller Williams, marking a new chapter in his career and presence in the market.

If you’re still figuring out how to get around on New Year’s Eve next week, this is the easy, stress-free move.

Call JPaul is Louisville’s premier black car and concierge service, perfect for an individual or small group who wants the night handled without worrying about parking, surge pricing, or finding a ride home. You get a professional driver, a clean black car, and a plan that actually runs on time.

Whether it’s dinner, a party, or a full night out, they’ll get you there and back comfortably so you can focus on ringing in the new year.

👉 Learn more or book at calljpaul.com

🎉 Birthday Shoutouts

Birthday love for some local standouts

John Disselkamp, Owner at First Class Commercial Cleaning

Jay Garmon, VP of Product Development at Finvi.

Amanda Reiss, PRN Physical Therapist at Post Acute Medical

Ryan Sadler, Plan President at Passport Health Plan by Molina Healthcare

Leslie Slaughter, Control State Inventory Analyst at Heaven Hill Brands

Steven Von Gerlachter, Adjunct Professor at University of Louisville.

Mackenzie Hindman Woodward, Marketing and Event Planning Consultant

Jamil Zabaneh, President at J&L Marketing.

🏡 House Hunt Highlight

Looking for your next Louisville home? Two standout properties. Two very different ways to live well. Click the photos to explore.

🏘️ Everyday Easy

6115 Passionflower Dr, Prospect | 3,248 sq ft | 5 bed, 4 bath | $898,000
A clean, modern Norton Commons home with space where it matters. Open living areas, smart finishes, and flexible bedrooms make everyday life easy. Walkable streets, nearby parks, and village amenities are right outside your door. A turnkey option for buyers who want style, function, and community without sacrificing comfort.
Listed by: Keren Benabou, RE/MAX Properties East

🌳 Private Retreat

5402 Farm Ridge Ln, Prospect | 10,318 sq ft | 5 bed, 8 bath | $2,995,000
A statement estate that blends warmth and scale. Reclaimed wood, vaulted ceilings, and a chef’s kitchen anchor the main level, while the first-floor primary suite feels private and retreat-like. The walk-out lower level opens to a resort-style backyard with a pool, hot tub, and mature trees. Built for entertaining and designed for privacy in one of Prospect’s most sought-after pockets.
Listed by: Sam Stone, Lenihan Sotheby’s International Realty

🏢 Louisville Spark Job Board

Who’s hiring in Louisville? 5 Trending jobs

Sr. Operations Manager at Amazon ($121K–$200K). Lead large-scale fulfillment operations, manage senior frontline leaders, and drive performance, safety, and cost efficiency across a high-volume logistics environment.

Vice President, Food and Agribusiness at Farm Credit Mid-America ($124K–$282K). Senior leadership role overseeing strategy, lending growth, and client relationships across the food and agribusiness portfolio.

Audit Manager – Financial Services at Crowe ($81K–$192K). Manage audit engagements for financial institutions, lead client relationships, and mentor teams while ensuring regulatory and GAAP compliance.

Project Manager, Buildings at Stantec ($114K–$171K). Lead building design and construction projects from planning through delivery, coordinating architects, engineers, and clients across commercial and institutional work.

Plant Manager at New Flyer ($170K–$190K). Own day-to-day manufacturing operations, safety, quality, and production targets at a large-scale transit bus manufacturing facility.

📆 What’s Sparking This Weekend

We found the fun, so you don’t have to.

Saturday, December 27

👟 Pre New Year’s Elder Sneaker Ball
5:00–9:00 PM @ California Community Center
A joyful night of music, dancing, and community celebrating Louisville’s elders. Dress sharp, rock your favorite sneakers, and ring in the New Year early with style, soul, and plenty of good vibes.

🎷 Steely Danish: Countdown to Ecstasy
8:00 PM @ Zanzabar
A note-perfect tribute to Steely Dan’s iconic Countdown to Ecstasy. Expect deep cuts, slick grooves, and a crowd full of serious music lovers for a late-December night of polished rock nostalgia.

Sunday, December 28

🎬 48 Hour Film Challenge Awards Ceremony
2:00 PM @ Butchertown Brewing
Celebrate the creativity and hustle of local filmmakers as the best films from the 48 Hour Film Challenge are screened and awarded. Grab a beer, cheer on the winners, and soak up Louisville’s indie film scene. Free to attend.

🎤 Tyler Fischer Comedy Show
7:00 PM @ Louisville Comedy Club
Stand-up comic Tyler Fischer brings sharp impressions, quick wit, and unapologetic humor to the stage. A great Sunday night option if you’re in the mood to laugh hard and end the weekend on a high note.

📺 Video of the Week

Lights Under Louisville had 2+ hour waits in the evenings before Christmas. Whether you braved the crowds or skipped it, here's what everyone wanted to see.

Instagram post

🥃 Final Sip

Sunday is National Card Playing Day, and it might quietly be the biggest one of the weekend. With family stuck in the house, it’s a perfect excuse to break out a deck of cards… solitaire, poker, or even a serious game of Go Fish.

Have a great weekend.

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