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Today is National Pasta Day, so go celebrate with our friends at Volare! Here’s my go-to choices… start with bruschetta or calamari, for entrees I love the vodka pasta or salmon and save room for the heath toffee cheesecake. 😋

👀 In today's edition:

Welcome to the many new readers who signed up this week! I appreciate you. 🙏

Hot job 💼: Executive Director of Philanthropy – Schools & Colleges at University of Louisville ($130K–$160K). Oversee major gift fundraising across nine UofL schools, lead a front-line philanthropy team, and manage a portfolio of high-value donors. Requires 8–10 years of higher-ed fundraising with experience securing six-figure gifts.

📈 Number: 177 is the number of specialty license plates sold by the state of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet generating millions in revenue for university scholarships, veterans and other causes.

Birthday Cheers 🎉: Big cheers to Doug Druschke, a creative pro who keeps Louisville connected to what’s happening in the Mayor’s office and across the city. Wishing him a great year ahead.

I also found a video of a Louisvillian winning on a global stage. 👇 👇

-Todd

The headlines might worry you. The data should reassure you.

I still remember when Melillo's closed in 2008. The East Market Street spot was one of my favorite Louisville restaurants, the kind of place I'd recommend to anyone asking where to eat. But here's the thing: I only went three or four times a year. I fancied myself a big supporter, but the math didn't lie. And I wasn't alone.

That memory came back when Louisville Business First reported roughly equal numbers of restaurant openings (28) and closings (26) this past year. It's easy to read that as a wash, or worse, a warning sign. But look closer at why restaurants closed, and a different story emerges.

The facts:

On the flip side, this year's openings leaned global and creative. Japanese, Italian, reinvented American comfort food, and new brunch concepts led the way, showing what Louisville restaurateurs do best: taking risks and investing in new concepts.

⚡️ Spark Take: The churn isn't the problem. It's the proof. That's exactly what a thriving restaurant market looks like. When we can support new risk-taking ventures while established spots gracefully exit on their own terms, you have a powerful food scene.

👉 Read the full story: See all 28 restaurant openings, plus what closed and why, in our complete breakdown of Louisville's evolving food scene.

Looking for inspiration on where to land next? Here are two standout options that show off very different ways to live well in Louisville. Click the photos to explore these properties and learn more.

12108 Locust Ln | 4,023 sq ft | 4 bed, 3 bath | $1,500,000
Anchorage’s most talked-about listing feels part luxury home, part treehouse escape. Tucked beneath a canopy of mature trees, this glass-and-timber retreat captures natural light from every angle. Inside, open living spaces connect through vaulted ceilings and warm wood beams that blur the line between indoors and out. Step onto the wraparound deck and you’re suspended in the treetops… close enough to the city but a world away in feel. Listed by Lenihan Sotheby’s International Realty

8501 Wolf Pen Branch Rd | 11,698 sq ft | 5 bed, 8 bath | $4,250,000
Set on nearly five wooded acres in Prospect, this architectural showpiece combines natural materials with striking modern design. Expansive glass walls bring the outdoors in, while the main level flows from a sculptural staircase and stone fireplace to a chef’s kitchen with professional appliances and generous entertaining space. The primary suite offers vaulted ceilings, a private office, and a spa-like bath with marble, copper, and heated floors. Outside, a resort-style infinity pool, waterfall, and full pool house complete the setting. Listed by Brandon Jones, Lenihan Sotheby’s International Realty

Ashbourne Farms in La Grange invites you to step back in time for An Autumn Afternoon on the Farm on Sunday, October 19. This isn't your average fall festival. It's a full sensory experience featuring live bluegrass music, storytelling along the Ohio River's heritage, and a chance to connect with the land and animals that make this farm special.

From hayrides through golden foliage to guided garden tours and cuddle time with miniature donkeys, it's the perfect way to unplug and soak in authentic Kentucky farm culture.

⚡️ Spark Take: For $10, you get bluegrass, barnyard cuddles, and an actual reason to leave your couch on a Sunday afternoon.

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

🌎 Louisville Earth Walk
A 5K walk at Hogan’s Fountain in Cherokee Park celebrating clean air, water, and green spaces. Live music, kids’ activities, and community booths make it a perfect morning for families.

🚛 Louisville Truck Pull for Special Olympics Kentucky
Teams of 15 compete to pull a 75,000-pound UPS jet pull tractor 12 feet for time. Great competition, food trucks, and music while raising funds for Special Olympics Kentucky.

🎃 Halloween in Brown Park
Trick-or-treating, inflatables, pumpkin painting, and costume contests in St. Matthews. A free, family-friendly event that’s become a fall tradition.

🍸 FDR’s Very Happy Hour at Actors Theatre
A witty, cocktail-filled evening inspired by FDR’s famous Fireside Chats. Smart humor, historic charm, and a creative twist on happy hour.

🏐 Louisville Cardinals Women’s Volleyball vs. Kentucky
The Cards face the Wildcats at the KFC Yum! Center in one of the season’s most exciting rivalry matches. High energy, elite play, and plenty of Louisville pride.

🎤 Louisville vs. Lexington Comedy Battle
Comedians from both cities face off at TEN20 Craft Brewery. Audience votes decide who wins bragging rights for Kentucky’s best sense of humor.

State Manager – Kentucky at Sazerac ($129K–$193K). Lead KY market sales and distributor strategy for a fast-growing spirits portfolio.

Outside Sales Representative at Groundworks ($125K–$250K OTE). Sell foundation and waterproofing solutions across Kentucky. No prior sales experience required; paid training provided.

Biosolids Practice Leader at HDR ($118K–$254K). Oversee biosolids program strategy, client relationships, and project execution. Requires background in wastewater or environmental engineering leadership.

Product Owner – Rural 1st at Farm Credit Mid-America ($110K–$145K). Define roadmap and priorities for the Rural 1st digital lending platform. Collaborate with design and development teams to enhance customer experience.

Director of Operations & Automation at Trilogy Health Services ($150K–$200K). Lead enterprise-wide process automation and operational excellence initiatives across Trilogy’s senior-care communities.

Watch the video below where Louisvillian, Jason Hawkins hit a hole in one in the US Speedgolf Open! Also a huge congrats on his 6th place finish against a global field! ⛳