Happy National Donut Day! 🍩 🎉 I celebrated the right way—grabbed my favorites from Thornton’s for the kids (not joking, they love them).

Last weekend, I played in a local member-guest golf tourney, and our out-of-town guests got the full Kentucky forecast: rain and wind Friday, blazing sun Saturday. Classic. I also ran into Jimmy Kirchdorfer—a perfect reminder that big-time golf is back next week with the PGA TOUR’s ISCO Championship. More below.

Earlier this week, I made it to the Venture Connectors, and the room was packed. If you’re looking to meet sharp people and catch up on local momentum, it’s a great spot. Check out Jordan Clemons’ post for a solid recap.

Hot job 💼: Enrollment Director at Trilogy ($200K). Oversee admissions for AI-powered learning programs. Must have strategic vision and experience in educational enrollment.

Shout-out 📣: Chris Green, of Delta Dental of Kentucky, was named one of Business First’s 2025 Best in Finance honorees for his leadership in healthcare finance.

Birthday Cheers 🎉: Happy birthday to my friend, Tommy Wallace—a steady hand in banking and always shows up for Louisville—wishing him a year of strong connections and even stronger bourbon.

-Todd

🏙️ From The Outside In: Craig dos Santos

What the city looks like through the eyes of those who left.

We’re kicking off a new series profiling successful people who used to live in Louisville—asking how they see the city from afar. What still resonates, what’s surprising, and how does Louisville compare to where they live now?

Meet Craig dos Santos, a DuPont Manual grad and Rice alum who’s spent the past two decades in Seattle and San Francisco helping build companies and investing in others. He's lived in some of the country's most competitive markets

On a recent visit back to Louisville, Craig brought two business partners—one from London, one from Pittsburgh—for their first time in the city. He expected polite interest. What he got was wide-eyed surprise. Here are a few key takeaways:

• Louisville’s parks and neighborhoods felt “idyllic” — Cherokee and Seneca Parks and nearby homes left his guests stunned by the natural beauty and livability.

• The city’s diversity has grown significantly — Within a two-block walk on Bardstown Road, Craig pointed out two Indian restaurants, a big contrast to what existed when he left in 1999.

Craig didn’t just see old friends—he saw a new version of Louisville. Here’s what stood out most during his visit:

• Downtown now feels like a real destination — Staying at 21c and exploring NuLu gave Craig a fresh perspective on how much the urban core has evolved.

• Louisville has a long-term vision — From bike trails to the Big Four Bridge, Craig saw infrastructure and public space investments that rival (or exceed) what many bigger cities offer.

“My friends didn’t expect much,” Craig said, “but they couldn’t believe how beautiful and easy it was.” It made him see the city with new pride.

Read the full story and watch the full video interview to hear Craig’s unfiltered take on how Louisville compares to some of the biggest cities in the country. [Click here]

⚡️ Spark Poll

Last week’s poll results: Who has the best donuts in Louisville?

• Jeff's - 26%

• King's - 26%

• Nord's - 16%

• Sugar & Spice - 10%

• Plehn's - 8%

• Bamboo - 4%

• Krispy Kreme - 4%

• North Lime - 4%

🗓️ Presented by: Volare

Volare Italian Ristorante isn’t just for special occasions—it’s your go-to spot any night of the week. Grab a seat at the bar and enjoy half-priced bottles of wine, every single evening. Pair it with handmade pasta, house favorites, or just a great conversation. Local, lively, and always a good pour.

Side Gig Spotlight

Creative Hustles. Real People. Extra Income.

By day, Shannon Majors is VP, Chief of Staff at Zelis—navigating strategy, sales, and client ops at a high level. By night, she’s belting out 90s R&B and party anthems as the powerhouse lead singer of Downstage Live.

Shannon’s energy on stage is electric, and Downstage Live knows how to bring the party. They’ve built a loyal local following by keeping dance floors packed and setlists fresh. It’s pure fun, zero pretense, and all heart. Trust me—you’ll want to catch their next show. Check out downstagelive.com or @DownStageLive on Facebook.

Big thanks to Emily Hext for spotlighting Shannon’s side hustle at Louisville Spark Live (see more like that below)! Got a creative side gig or know someone we should feature? Tell us here.

🤫 Confess & Tell

Real Opinions. No Filters. No Names. [Submit yours here]

🏢 Louisville Spark Job Board

Who’s hiring in Louisville? 5 Trending jobs

• Senior Staff Engineering Manager of Financial Data and Analytics at GEICO ($150K - $300K). Lead financial data platform development. Requires experience in financial systems and data technologies.

• VP RxOwnership - Central Region at McKesson ($130.9K - $218.1K). Facilitate pharmacy ownership transfers. Requires experience in business development and consulting.

• Sr Logistics Manager at Radius Recycling ($125K - $137.5K). Manage logistics operations for recycling facilities. Needs experience in transportation and logistics management.

• Packaging Engineering Manager at Sazerac Company ($116.5K - $174.7K). Design and approve packaging specifications. Requires experience in packaging engineering and supplier performance.

• Module Superintendent at Conductor Power ($115K - $145K). Oversee solar module installations. Requires 5+ years in solar construction and 2+ years in supervisory roles.

Presented by: ISCO Championship - PGA Tour Event

The ISCO Championship tees off June 10–13 at Hurstbourne Country Club, bringing world-class PGA TOUR action back to Louisville. As Kentucky’s top professional golf event of the year, it offers four days of great competition, local charm, and a laid-back golf atmosphere.

Whether you’re a longtime golf follower or just looking for a fun day outdoors, this is your chance to catch the action up close. Tickets available now.

• 🗓 Thursday - Sunday, June 10 - 13

• 📍 Location: Hurstbourne Country Club | 9000 Hurstbourne Club Lane

• 💵 Cost: Daily and weekly ticket options available (starting at $59/day)

• ⛳️ Bonus: Kids 15 and under get in free with a ticketed adult

⚡️ Louisville Spark Live

Louisvillians love showing off more than just Churchill Downs and the Slugger Museum. Locals point visitors to the Walking Bridge, Louisville Thoroughbred Society, and even Mammoth Cave.

Underrated causes? West End development, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and Brightside.

Admired side hustles include Sakura Blue catering, a bar-on-wheels, indoor pickleball, and noco.delivery. On social, DateListLou stays hot, alongside The WO Network and Shannon McConnell. For hires, Glide Cinema, Simplicity and Style, and skilled engineers get the nod.

Grateful for this crew who are all doing their part to shape a better Louisville. Here’s who joined us:

Front row L-R: Todd Earwood, Lane Coonrod - The Hartford, Lindsay Aulbach - The Land Store, Emily Hext, Cameron Becht - CBC Agency.
Back row L-R: - Brandon Guyton - Higginbotham, Jason Hahn - Implant Efficiency Institute, Todd Johnson - Envoy Mortgage.

📆 What’s Sparking This Weekend

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

🎟️ Featured event

🛍️ Buy Local Fair
Sunday, June 8 | 12–6 PM
Lynn Family Stadium
200+ local vendors, live music, food trucks, cooking competitions, and a kid zone—this is Louisville’s biggest celebration of local everything. Free to attend, $10 parking.

🥇 First Friday Gallery Hop
Friday, June 6 | Evening
NuLu & Downtown Louisville
Explore Louisville’s art scene as galleries open late with exhibits, live music, and good vibes. Great for a casual night out with local flair. Free to attend.

⚾️ NCAA Super Regional: Louisville vs. Miami
Friday–Sunday, June 6–8
Jim Patterson Stadium
The Cards are hosting Miami in the NCAA Super Regional with a College World Series spot on the line—and tickets sold out in under 30 minutes. 😲 Just a heads up to tune in and cheer from home—full schedule and TV info at GoCards.com.

🎭 Kentucky Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing
Friday, June 6 | 8 PM
Central Park
Pack a blanket and catch a free outdoor performance of one of Shakespeare’s best-loved comedies. Enjoy food trucks, local drinks, and theater under the stars.

🦕 Dinopalooza at the Louisville Zoo
Saturday, June 7 | 10 AM–4 PM
Louisville Zoo
Life-sized animatronic dinosaurs have taken over the zoo—roaring, moving, and thrilling kids and dino lovers alike. Included with Zoo admission.

✈️ Wings for Kids RC Airshow
Saturday, June 7 | 11 AM–3 PM
E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park
See jaw-dropping aerial stunts by radio-controlled aircraft—all for a great cause. Proceeds benefit Norton Children’s Hospital. $5 per car.

🎨 MakerPlace: Chaotic Art
Saturday, June 7 | 1–3 PM
Kentucky Science Center
Create art with motion and randomness in this hands-on workshop where science meets splatter. Free with museum admission ($23 adults / $19 kids).

🧘‍♀️ Movement in the Museum: Tai Chi
Sunday, June 8 | 12–1 PM
Speed Art Museum
Reset for the week with a peaceful Tai Chi session surrounded by inspiring art. Free with museum admission.

🧵 Louisville’s Fiber Legend: Alma Lesch Exhibit
Sunday, June 8 | All Day
Schneider Hall Gallery, UofL
Explore the work of Kentucky fiber arts pioneer Alma Lesch in this powerful exhibit. Free and open to the public.

🎭 Tony Awards Watch Party
Sunday, June 8 | 8 PM
Actors Theatre of Louisville
Red carpet, live performances, and a real Tony Award on-site—don’t miss Broadway’s biggest night on the big screen. Tickets start at $25.

🥃 Final Sip

Have a great weekend—and don’t forget, Friday is National Donut Day. There’s a ton going on around town, from art and theater to college baseball and dino sightings. Whether you're into live music, hands-on workshops, or just soaking up summer vibes, there’s something for everyone. Just keep an eye on the skies—we’re looking at a mix of sunshine and possible rain.

-Todd